The number of children and young people with type 2 diabetes in the UK is rising. There are challenges around the diagnosis, management and monitoring of type 2 diabetes in children and young people. This position sets out the existing evidence on the topic – highlighting best practice and resources to drive further improvements in care.
The increase in type 2 diabetes in children and young people is a particularly concerning aspect of the diabetes epidemic, given the more aggressive form of the condition compared to older adults and the close association with the rise in obesity and overweight in youth. Type 2 also disproportionately impacts children and young people living in areas of higher deprivation and those of Asian, Black or Mixed ethnicity. As a result addressing health inequalities is key to improving care and developing preventative strategies.
This position makes recommendations for how children and young people with type 2 diabetes should be supported by health systems, steps that should be taken by government to prevent more developing the condition in the future, and suggestions of focus areas for research. These include:
- Ensuring all children and young people with type 2 diabetes should receive a consistent high level of care from a team of healthcare professionals with confidence and experience in managing the condition.
- Further research to understand the benefits of new and existing treatments and technologies for children and young people with type 2 diabetes, and the factors that lead to its development to inform preventative strategies.
- Bold action must be taken across government to address the social determinants of ill-health to stem the rise of type 2 diabetes in children and young people.
We developed this position statement through a review of the current literature, a review of the National Diabetes Audit, National Paediatric Diabetes Audit and Scottish Diabetes Audit. We also consulted with healthcare professionals with expertise in the field of type 2 diabetes in children and young people.
Download our position statement on Type 2 diabetes in children and young people as a PDF (220 KB).
