Obesity epidemic blamed for huge rise in children suffering Type 2 diabetes
TYPE 2 diabetes in children has risen by more than 40 per cent in three years, figures have revealed.
The shocking increase in cases of the disease, which is usually caused by excess weight and normally seen among older adults, highlights the seriousness of Britain’s obesity epidemic.
The first cases of Type 2 diabetes in British children were recorded in 2000 but now hundreds are known.
The figures from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health were released as health chiefs announced plans to ban junk food outlets near schools in pilot schemes in a number of towns.
The figures show 715 children and young people under 25 received care for Type 2 diabetes from paediatric diabetes units in England and Wales in 2016-17. Four in five of them were classed as obese.
The figure is an increase of 41 per cent on the 507 cases from 2013-14.
Experts said these figures were likely to be the “tip of the iceberg” as they only relate to children treated by paediatric practice. Many more are likely to be being treated by GPS.
Unlike Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 is largely preventable and closely linked to lifestyle, such as unhealthy eating or lack of exercise.
The first eight cases of childhood Type 2 diabetes in the UK in 2000 involved girls of Pakistani, Indian and Arabic origin, aged nine to 16. The first cases in obese white children followed soon after.
About 22,000 children are classed as severely obese – the most overweight category on the scale – when they leave primary school.
The diabetes figures were highlighted as the Local Government Association (LGA), which represents 370 councils in England and Wales, called for the reversal of cuts to public health budgets.
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.
“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.”
Ten areas in England are piloting new ways to encourage residents to take more exercise and slim down.
Three of the towns yesterday announced plans to ban junk food from the streets surrounding schools.
Darlington in Co Durham has drawn up plans to ban takeaways selling hot food within a quarter of a mile of schools by the end of this year.
Barton in Oxfordshire has banned the grant of licences for the sale of hot and cold food, drinks or confectionery, within 330ft of a school between 7.30am and 6pm.
And planners in Northstowe, Cambs, intend to limit the number of outlets in the new town.
It comes as 12 housing developers signed up to plans to expand the programme with “health and well-being” measures included in all new housing and regeneration schemes.
Sir Malcolm Grant, chairman of NHS England, said firm action was needed to protect children from poor habits that could shorten lives. He added: “The proliferation of fast food takeaways near schools is a scandal. It is a childhood obesity time-bomb.”