New Findings on Diabetes among Youth

March 11, 2009 - New findings from the nation’s largest study of diabetes in youth, called SEARCH, shows that the disease is one of the most common chronic diseases in children and adolescents and that its occurrence is on the rise among every racial and ethnic group.  Study results are presented in the March supplement of Diabetes Care within five articles related to these specific populations: non-Hispanic whites, Hispanics, blacks, Asian/Pacific Islanders and American Indians/Navajo Nation. 

Key findings include: 

• Today’s incidence rate of type 1 diabetes among U.S. non-Hispanic white youth is one of the highest in the world: one in about 4,200 youth develops type 1 diabetes annually;
• Type 1 diabetes is more common than type 2 diabetes in Hispanic American youth of all ages;
• About 50 percent of black youth age 15 years or older have poorly controlled blood sugar;
• Asian and Pacific Islander youth, particularly adolescents, have a high risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes: one in about 8,200 youth develops type 2 diabetes annually; and
• Navajo youth have the greatest risk of type 2 diabetes: one in 2,542 develop diabetes annually. 

Childhood diabetes increases the risk for complications due to the longer duration of the disease.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, diabetes complications can include: blindness, kidney damage, heart disease, lower-limb amputations, and even death.  Although type 1 diabetes is usually caused by autoimmune, genetic, and environmental factors, type 2 diabetes often times can be associated with obesity and physical inactivity. 

The SEARCH study findings underscore the need for schools to not only have diabetes management policies in place, but also develop policies and programs that help prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes among youth, with an emphasis on minority populations.  This translates to increasing opportunities for physical activity, health education, and improving the school nutrition environment.  In addition, it is important to get parents and the community involved so that healthy behaviors can be promoted and perpetuated. 

Source: "Diabetes on the Rise in Every Racial and Ethnic Group Studied," Marc Onigman, March 2009; "National Diabetes Fact Sheet, 2007: General Information," CDC; and "Diabetes in Navajo Youth," Dana Dabelea, et al, Diabetes Care, March 2009.