Obese young women driving rise in early-onset type 2 diabetes, study finds
Young obese women are driving a sharp rise in early-onset type 2 diabetes across England, with researchers warning of growing health risks linked to severe obesity
Young obese women are driving a sharp rise in early-onset type 2 diabetes across England, according to new research
Obesity is driving more early-onset type 2 diabetes diagnoses in young adults
A study published in Lancet Regional Health Europe found diagnoses of type 2 diabetes are increasing rapidly among adults under 40, while rates are falling in older age groups. Researchers said younger adults are also being diagnosed at higher levels of obesity than previous generations, raising concerns over long-term health complications
The study, led by researchers at Imperial College London, analysed new cases of type 2 diabetes in England between 2011 and 2024. It is the first to examine national trends by age, sex and ethnicity
Researchers found the age-standardised incidence of type 2 diabetes rose by 43% in men and 69% in women aged 20 to 29 over the study period. By comparison, incidence fell by 7% in men and 4% in women aged 60 to 79
The increase was seen across all ethnicities but was particularly pronounced among white, Asian and black women aged 20 to 29, and white women aged 30 to 39
Dr Shivani Misra, clinical associate professor at Imperial College London and lead author, told The Telegraph: “We think that the earlier onset of severe obesity in young people is increasing their type 2 diabetes risk in early life and pulling down their age at diagnosis
“This is really worrying given the poor health outcomes from early-onset type 2 diabetes and as numbers increase, we need to think about implementing effective treatments as early as possible.”
The research also found body mass index (BMI) at diagnosis has increased significantly among younger adults. Between 2011 and 2024, BMI at diagnosis rose by around five to seven per cent in adults under 40, compared with two to three per cent in those aged 40 and over
She added: “GLP-1 medications are one component of tackling rising type 2 diabetes in young adults and… type 2 diabetes guidelines this year now recommend early GLP-1 treatment for young adults with type 2 diabetes
“There is still insufficient research on whether using GLP-1 drugs at scale in adolescents and young adults with obesity can sustainably prevent type 2 diabetes or indeed, what would happen after treatment stops
“Their impact should be tracked carefully alongside prevention policies that continue to address the wider environmental and societal factors driving obesity from an increasingly young age.”
Helen Kirrane, head of policy, campaigns and mobilisation at Diabetes UK, said: “The rise in type 2 diabetes among younger adults is deeply concerning
“Any diagnosis of type 2 diabetes is serious, but it can be more aggressive in younger people, increasing the risk of devastating complications and cutting lives short
“Type 2 diabetes is a complex condition without a single cause. That’s why further action needs to be taken by Government, including restricting the promotion of unhealthy food and creating environments that support healthier lives.”
