There was a 30 percent spike in diabetes among children and teens between 2001 and 2009 and researchers say more investigation is needed to determine what caused the big jump.
A new study published in the Journal of American Medicine this month reveals both type 1 and type 2 diabetes is becoming more prevalent and suggests that obesity may play a factor
"Type 2 diabetes is increasingly diagnosed in youth and now accounts for 20% to 50% of new-onset diabetes case patients, Although few longitudinal studies have been conducted, it has been suggested that the increase in type 2 diabetes in youth is a result of an increase in the frequency of obesity in pediatric populations. Obesity in youth has been increasing since the 1960s though recent data suggest a plateau," states the report.
The biggest increase for both types of diabetes was seen among those 15 through 19 years of age.
The study comes at a time when other research indicates obesity among youth is on the decline given several factors: a national campaign led by First Lady Michelle Obama to spur kids to get fit, greater insight on how sedentary lifestyles among children who play more computer games than outside games is having on nutrition and the rise of wearable devices that are helping both teens and adults better monitor activity and fitness.
In fact LeapFrog, a children's educational toy maker, just announced it will debut a 'smart' fitness band for the kindergarten crowd come this summer. The LeapBand device uses interactive pets to encourage young kids to do activities such as crab walks.
The diabetes research involved data on more than 3 million youths, those under the age of 19 years old. While no specific cause is cited in the study, researchers say it may be environmental.
The reasons behind the increase aren't entirely clear, said researchers.
"While we do not completely understand the reasons for this increase, since the causes of type 1 diabetes are still unclear, it is likely that something has changed in our environment, both in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world, causing more youth to develop the disease, maybe at increasingly younger ages," said lead researcher Dr. Dana Dabelea, the associate dean for faculty at the Colorado School of Public Health in Aurora.
