Researchers from Kaiser Permanente in the United States have observed a rise in diabetes diagnoses among teenagers and adolescents during the COVID-19 period. The study highlights an uptick in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes among youths aged 10 to 19, with the findings reported by EurekAlert.
To verify whether the increase reflected a real trend or a variation in records, the scientists reviewed medical data from patients treated at Kaiser Permanente clinics in California. Between 2016 and 2021, they documented 1,200 cases of type 1 diabetes, 1,100 cases of type 2 diabetes, and 63 cases of other diabetes forms, including LADA, MODY, and gestational diabetes, among the youth population.
In 2016, roughly 19 youths with type 1 diabetes per 100,000 patients were seen at the health network. By 2021, that rate had risen to about 25 per 100,000. A parallel pattern appeared for type 2 diabetes, where the incidence climbed from about 16 per 100,000 in the baseline group to around 30 per 100,000 in 2021. The researchers estimate the average age of type 1 patients to be 11 years, with 62.7 percent of cases occurring in the 10 to 19 age bracket. For type 2 diabetes, the average age was 15.7 years, and 98.4 percent of diagnoses occurred within the 10 to 19 age range.
The team plans further work to identify the factors driving the rising number of cases and to determine which influences may be contributing to this trend among younger populations.
Additional notes indicate a historical context where researchers have explored various dietary and environmental factors that could relate to diabetes risk in youth. Ongoing investigations aim to clarify how lifestyle, public health measures, and access to care intersect with these trends at Kaiser Permanente clinics.
For readers seeking a broader perspective, the research underscores the importance of monitoring pediatric metabolic health and encourages clinicians to remain vigilant for early signs of diabetes in children and adolescents.
As with any medical topic, ongoing scholarly work will continue to refine understanding of incidence patterns and help inform preventive strategies across healthcare systems in North America.