A new national data release shows that approximately 1 in 3 young people aged 12 to 17 have prediabetes, placing them at risk for developing type 2 diabetes and other health issues. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report is based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and found that an estimated 8.4 million adolescents in this age group had prediabetes in 2023.
Experts attribute the rise in obesity among teens as a major contributing factor to the increasing prevalence of prediabetes. However, not all teens with prediabetes will progress to diabetes. The risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes include higher BMI or A1C levels upon diagnosis and adverse social drivers such as limited access to healthy food and opportunities for physical activity.
Pediatric endocrinologists warn that identifying who among children with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes is crucial in preventing the disease. Puberty plays a role in insulin resistance during this period, making teens more susceptible to developing type 2 diabetes. The CDC report emphasizes the need for further research and funding to understand how to prevent and treat type 2 diabetes in children.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has launched an initiative called the DISCOVERY trial to define who among children with prediabetes will develop type 2. Experts stress that early detection and prevention are key in managing this disease, particularly given its aggressive nature and potential for devastating health outcomes if left untreated.
Source: https://www.statnews.com/2025/07/09/prediabetes-in-teens-cdc-says-nearly-one-in-three-teenagers-at-risk-of-type-2-diabetes