Study: 2 forms of diabetes increase among youth

A new study has found a troubling trend in newly diagnosed diabetes cases among youth in the United States. The National Institute of Health study found that between 2002 and 2012, the number of people under age 20 who were diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes went up by about 1.8 percent a year. Type 2 diabetes diagnoses went up 4.8 percent a year. This is the first study to look at trends in new cases of diabetes in youths. Researchers found that the numbers are higher for certain ethni...

News 12 Staff

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Apr 17, 2017, 10:27 PM

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Updated 2,814 days ago

Study: 2 forms of diabetes increase among youth

A new study has found a troubling trend in newly diagnosed diabetes cases among youth in the United States.

The National Institute of Health study found that between 2002 and 2012, the number of people under age 20 who were diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes went up by about 1.8 percent a year. Type 2 diabetes diagnoses went up 4.8 percent a year.

This is the first study to look at trends in new cases of diabetes in youths. Researchers found that the numbers are higher for certain ethnic and racial minorities, including among African-Americans and Hispanics.

Dr. Michael Shanik, a Smithtown endocrinologist, says the study definitely raises more questions and that more research must be done.

Researchers say that because of the disease’s early onset nature, youths are at risk for developing diabetes-related complications at a young age. This not only shortens life expectancy but also greatly increases the cost of health care.