The number of children and young people being treated for Type 2
diabetes, which is normally only seen in adults and often linked
to obesity, has soared by around 40 per cent in just four years
to more than 700 cases.
The Local Government Association, which represents 370 councils
in England and Wales, says the figures underline the critical
need to urgently tackle the childhood obesity crisis.
While not every case of Type 2 diabetes is as a result of being
overweight and obese, it is the single greatest risk factor.
According to latest figures for 2016/17 from the Royal College of
Paediatrics and Child Health, 715 children and young people under
the age of 25 received care for Type 2 diabetes from Paediatric
Diabetes Units in England and Wales, of which 78.6 per cent were
also obese.
The latest data shows an increase of 41 per cent on the 507 cases
from 2013/14.
However as these figures only relate to those treated in
paediatric practice, and not for example, primary care, the
actual number of young people with Type 2 diabetes is likely to
be even higher.
Type 2 diabetes can lead to a range of serious health problems
such as blindness, heart disease, kidney failure and lower limb
amputation.
Unlike Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 is largely preventable and is
closely linked to lifestyle, such as unhealthy eating or lack of
exercise.
The first cases of Type 2 diabetes in children were diagnosed in
overweight girls of Asian ethnic origin in 2000 and first
reported in white adolescents in 2002.
Councils also say more needs to be done to reach out to black and
minority ethnic groups, where there is a disproportionately
higher number of children and young people with Type 2 diabetes.
Nearly half of those receiving care for the condition from
Paediatric Diabetes Units were black or Asian.
Earlier this year, the LGA revealed that 22,000 children are
classed as severely obese – the most overweight scale – when they
leave primary school.
It says as a minimum, the Government should reverse the £600
million cut to councils’ public health funding, which is used to
invest in fighting obesity. Councils are also calling for
specialised support for the most seriously obese children.
Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing
Board, said:
“These figures are a sad indictment of how we have collectively
failed as a society to tackle childhood obesity, one of the
biggest health challenges we face.
“Type 2 diabetes typically develops in adults over the age of 40,
so while still rare in children, it is extremely worrying that we
are seeing more young people develop the condition.
“Although there are a number of risk factors for Type 2 diabetes,
some of which are out of our control, one of the most important
risk factors is being overweight or obese, which we can do
something about.
“The Government’s childhood obesity plan sets out bold ambitions
to halve the number of obese children by 2030.
“But we need urgent action now. Type 2 diabetes can be a lifelong
debilitating illness and these figures will only multiply if we
delay.
“Councils with their public health responsibilities are on the
frontline fighting obesity but for this to work effectively they
need to be properly resourced. Cutting their public health
funding is short-sighted and undermines any attempt to help our
children live healthy and fulfilling lives.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. Figures sourced from the Royal College
of Paediatrics and Child Health’s National Paediatric Diabetes
Audit 2016/2017
https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2018-07/npda_annual_report_2016_-_2017_april_2018_final_updated_3.pdf
These were compared with the 2013/14 report https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2018-03/npda_national_report_2013-14.pdf
2. Latest data for 2016/17 from the
National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) is
available here (click on
“Overview” tab) and here.
3. NCMP data also shows one in five 10 and
11-year-olds are obese and one in 10 four and five-year-olds are
obese. If those who are overweight are included, the rates rise
to a third and a fifth respectively.
4. Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes include
urinating more than usual, feeling thirsty all the time, feeling
very tired and having blurred vision https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/type-2-diabetes/symptoms/
5. 22,000 children severely obese when they leave primary
school https://local.gov.uk/about/news/22000-children-severely-obese-when-they-leave-primary-school
