'Hugely disturbing' rise in UK children with type 2 diabetes, report finds

The news comes almost one full year after the UK Government launched its childhood obesity plan, which drew criticism for being too lenient on food and drink manufacturers targeting children. The data also revealed that around 80% of the children affected were clinically obese – a major risk factor in developing the condition. The Local Government Association, the representative body for councils across England and Wales, noted that government cuts had rendered it unable to adequately address the issue.

The findings show that females with the condition were twice as common as males, while the most affected age group was 15-19. Children from Asian and black ethnic backgrounds were particularly affected, making up half of the total, as were those who lived in deprived areas. The report even noted that these findings were only based on diagnosed figures – the true prevalence of the condition could be much higher.

"These figures show a hugely disturbing trend in the increasing number of children and teenagers being treated in Paediatric Diabetes Units for Type 2 diabetes, a condition normally only associated with adults," explained the Local Government Association’s Izzi Seccombe. "Obesity is usually linked with major health conditions later on in life, but already we are seeing the devastating consequences at an early age. It is vital that the measures in the childhood obesity plan improve the health of young people, and can help parents make more informed choices about the eating habits and lifestyles of their children."