Wednesday 15 June 2022 12:07 AM Soaring obesity levels among children triggers a 50% rise type 2 diabetes, ... trends now
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Spiralling child obesity levels has sparked a huge rise in the number with type 2 diabetes, according to a charity.
The number of children being treated at paediatric diabetes units in England and Wales jumped from 621 in 2015/16 to 973 in 2020/21.
Diabetes UK today called the 57 per cent uptick, spotted over the past five years, 'concerning'.
It accused the Government of 'letting our children down' as it called for concerted action to tackle Britain's bulging waistline.
And Diabetes UK warned the cost of living crisis could lead to further problems in years to come.
Experts described the mix of soaring obesity levels and squeeze on finances as a 'perfect storm which risks irreversible harm to the health of young people'.
Demand for care for those with type 2 diabetes at paediatric diabetes units across England and Wales has increased by 57 per cent. Children being treated at the units jumped from 621 in 2015/16 to 973 in 2020/21
Figures this year showed the proportion of four- and five-year-olds who are obese jumped 46 per cent from 2019/20 to 2020/21.
Rates increased from one in 10 children being obese in their first year of school to one in seven.
Obesity is believed to account
