Number of children treated for type 2 diabetes soars

Newly released data shows a 50 per cent increase in the number of children being treated in paediatric diabetic units

The charity Diabetes UK has branded the news ‘very concerning’ noting that the figures could rise still further against the backdrop of the current cost of living crisis.

The charity says that 90 per cent of people being treated for Diabetes in the UK have type 2 diabetes which is preventable and can be managed through lifestyle and dietary adjustments.

The figures are backed up by further data from NHS Digital indicating that child obesity rates “have seen the largest rise since records began in 2006” with the number of reception-age children diagnosed as obese increasing from one in 10 to one in seven.

Four in 10 children and young people living with type 2 diabetes are from the most deprived areas in England and Wales, compared to only one in 19 from the least deprived areas, it states.

Diabetes UK is calling on the government to:

• Urgently reverse its decision to delay restrictions to junk food marketing and unhealthy food promotions
• Go much further to halve childhood obesity by 2030
• Do more to ensure that all children are able to lead healthy lives, regardless of their background or where they live in the country