Prediabetes Among American Children Has More Than Doubled in the Last 20 Years

Prediabetes Among American Children Has More Than Doubled in the Last 20 Years

Prediabetes Among American Children , Has More Than Doubled in the Last 20 Years.

CNN reports the upward trend of prediabetes among the youth of America should be cause for concern.

In the last 20 years, the rate of prediabetes in children in the United States has more than doubled, a new study says.

Researchers found rates increased in nearly every subpopulation of young Americans.

Regardless of education, income or ethnicity.

Published in the journal 'JAMA Pediatrics,' the study followed children ages 12 to 19, .

Observing data from the CDC's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1999 to 2018.

In that period, the number of prediabetic children in America steadily rose from 11.6% to 28.2%.

Prediabetes is a common condition in American adults, though experts say 80% who have it aren't aware they do.

The condition results in higher- than-normal blood sugar levels.

While not quite at diabetic levels, a prediabetic person is at a heightened risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

As a society we need to work together to reduce obesity and prediabetes in youth.

, Dr. Robert Gabbay, chief science and medical officer at the American Diabetes Association, via CNN.

This will take a broad public health approach from working in schools, families, and most importantly availability of healthy foods with a particular emphasis on populations that are (at) greatest risk... , Dr. Robert Gabbay, chief science and medical officer at the American Diabetes Association, via CNN