Younger people with type 2 diabetes heavier than others

Younger people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes have a greater difference in weight relative to those without the condition, according to a new study.

Weight, blood pressure and blood fat elevations are greater in young people who develop type 2 diabetes.

Thestudy,ledbytheuniversities of Glasgow and Manchester examined known risk factors for heart disease between people with and without type 2 diabetes at similar ages.

The findings confirm that younger people diagnosed with diabetes have a greater difference in weight relative to people without the condition.

The difference in weight between those with and without type 2 diabetes was most marked for white people, especially women. The same was also true for blood pressure: young, white people had a higher difference in blood pressure when diagnosed with type 2 diabetes when measured against those without the condition.

Whilst the work confirmed the same patterns were seen in people of South Asian background and African-caribbean or black African background, these groups tended to develop type 2 diabetes at much lower BMIS, with less difference in weight between those who did and did not.

Similar, though less marked, patterns by age, were seen for blood fat levels.

Previous studies have shown that there is a greater loss of life from type 2 diabetes in white people, and the researchers believe these findings may help to explain why.

Overall the researchers found that the difference in weight for individuals with and without type 2 diabetes was 20kg, between the ages of 20 and 39 years old.

While for those diagnosed over 80 years old, the weight difference was only 5kg.

Similarly, the difference in blood pressure was highest in the younger age bracket for those who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Prof Naveed Sattar of the University of Glasgow, who led the study, said: “Our findings could help explain why younger diabetes onset is more damaging, and offer important insights into different groups for the development of type 2 diabetes.

“They also suggest a need for greater healthcare emphasis on diabetes and heart disease management in young people developing diabetes, regardless of their sex or ethnicity.”