Youth Increasingly at Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

(RxWiki News) The threat of type 2 diabetes has continued to increase for young people in recent years. But there are ways to avoid this disease.

For more information on type 2 diabetes in children, prediabetes and how to avoid this condition, read on.

Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Among Young People

In 2015, there were roughly 23 million people who had a diabetes diagnosis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Of those, around 193,000 were younger than 20 years old.

A large, long-term study of diabetes in the United States (called the SEARCH study) has found that type 2 diabetes tends to be more common among minority racial and ethnic groups. And it becomes more common among young people with each year of age.

Prediabetes

Prediabetes is a condition in which your blood sugar is high but not quite high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes. This condition typically comes before the onset of type 2 diabetes, and it raises your risk of heart disease.

According to the CDC, 1 in 5 children between 12 and 18 years old has prediabetes. This condition is more common in boys and those who are obese.

The good news is that prediabetes is reversible.

How to Avoid Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes

A combination of healthy lifestyle factors and, when necessary, medical intervention and medications can help to reverse prediabetes or avoid it and type 2 diabetes entirely.

Healthy lifestyle factors that can help to prevent these conditions include regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and eating a healthy diet, according to the CDC. Sometimes, medications may be necessary to help regulate your blood sugar levels.

If you are concerned about prediabetes or diabetes, speak with your health care provider. And always check with a qualified health professional before making any major lifestyle, diet or medication changes.