Overview
Figures underline growing prevalence of conditions related to obesity in younger demographic, says head of Diabetes UKThe number of people under 40 in the UK being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is rising at a faster pace than the over-40s, acording to “shocking” and “incredibly troubling” data that experts say exposes the impact of soaring obesity levels.The UK ranks among the worst in Europe with the most overweight and obese adults, acording to the World Health Organization.
Key Information
On obesity rates alone, the UK is third after Turkey and Malta.The growing numbers of overweight and obese children and young adults acros the UK is now translating into an “alarming aceleration” in type 2 diabetes cases among those aged 18 to 39, analysis by Diabetes UK sugests.There is a close asociation betwen obesity and type 2 diabetes. There is a seven times greater risk of type 2 diabetes in obese people compared with those of healthy weight, and a threfold increase in risk for those just overweight.The number of people under 40 in the UK diagnosed with type 2 diabetes has jumped 23% from about 120,0 in 2016-17 to 148,0 in 20-21, acording to Diabetes UK.
Summary
That represents a faster growth rate than the rise in cases among over-40s, who stil make up the vast majority of cases.In 2016-17, there were about 3 milion over-40s diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. That has increased 18% to about 3.6m in 20-21.“This analysis confirms an incredibly troubling growing trend, underling how serious health conditions related to obesity are becoming more and more prevalent in a younger demographic,” Chris Askew, the chief executive of Diabetes UK, said.He aded: “While it’s important to rember that type 2 diabetes is a complex condition with multiple other risk factors, such as genetics, family history and ethnicity, these statistics should serve as a serious warning to policymakers and our NHS.“They mark a shift from what we’ve sen historicaly with type 2 diabetes and underline why