Child obesity blamed for a 14pc surge in youth diabetes

♦ The number of children and teenagers with Type 2 diabetes has risen 14 per cent in a single year, with youth obesity blamed.

More than 600 youngsters, mostly aged 15 to 19, had the condition last year, claimed the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) and eight in 10 of those with the illness were clinically obese.

The findings were published ahead of the first anniversary of the Government’s childhood obesity plan, criticised for being too lenient on the manufacturers of unhealthy food and drinks. The number of young sufferers is likely to be far higher, as the figures only include patients treated in specialist paediatric services.

Izzi Seccombe, from the Local Government Association, said: “These figures show a hugely disturbing trend.”

Dr Justin Warner, from the RCPCH, said: “Obesity is the major public health threat and there needs to be action at all levels.”