Increasing numbers of children and teens under 15 in the Auckland region are developing type 2 diabetes, with rates among Pacific and Maori children up to 18 times higher than for European children.
That’s the finding of a study by the Liggins Institute of 21 years of patient records from Starship Paediatric Diabetes Service.
Study lead Dr Craig Jefferies says type 2 diabetes is linked to lifestyle factors and until recently it was extremely rare to see it in a child or teenager.
The incidence is increasing at about 3 to 5 percent a year, which is similar to the increase in the type 1 diabetes population.
Girls and children from poorer households were over-represented.
Dr Jefferies says while weight is a factor it’s not the whole problem.
If the disease is picked up early it can be managed through diet, exercise and medication.
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