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New figures reveal that the number of children and youth treated for type 2 diabetes has increased by almost 50% in just five years.
This disease is closely linked to a poor lifestyle, and experts today said the new data sheds light on the "shocking" increase in childhood obesity in the UK.
Obtained by the Local Government Association (LGA), the numbers show that there were nearly 750 cases of type 2 diabetes in those under 25 who had received pediatric diabetes unit care in 2017 -2018.
The first cases of type 2 diabetes in children were diagnosed less than 20 years ago.
Research has shown that more girls than boys have received treatment and that they are more likely to have come from a non-white or underprivileged background.
About 45% had high blood pressure and 34% exceeded the higher target of total cholesterol.
The latest data shows a 47% increase in the 507 cases recorded between 2013 and 2014, an increase of 30 cases from 715 in 2016-17.
However, as these figures only concern people treated in pediatrics, and not for example primary health care, the actual number of young people with type 2 diabetes is likely to be even higher.
Type 2 diabetes can lead to a series of serious health problems such as blindness, heart disease, kidney failure and lower limb amputation.
Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 is largely preventable and is closely related to lifestyle, such as an unhealthy diet or lack of exercise.
Ian Hudspeth, Chair of the LGA's Board of Directors for the Welfare of the Community, said: "Childhood obesity is one of the biggest public health problems to which we are confronted and these numbers are another sad example of how our society collectively failed. "
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