Researchers at Harbin Medical University in China have found that the incidence of type 2 diabetes in adolescents and young adults worldwide has increased sharply over the past 30 years. Research published BMJ.
The scientists conducted a systematic analysis using data from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study, which included people aged 15 to 39 from 204 countries.
The researchers found a significant increase in the incidence rate in adolescents and young adults worldwide from 1990 to 2019 (from 117.22 to 183.36 per 100,000 population). There was a slight increase in the death rate: it rose from 0.74 to 0.77 per 100,000 people.
The incidence increased more strongly in countries with an average socio-demographic index. Countries with a low socio-demographic index had lower incidence on average, but had the highest mortality rate.
Overall, women, especially those with high body weight, fell ill most often and died from type 2 diabetes. But obesity was also a risk factor for men. The impact of other risk factors differed between countries. The study will enable governments to develop better responses to diabetes in young people.