More young women in their 20s are getting type 2 diabetes

A worrying trend has emerged in England, with more young women in their 20s being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, according to experts at Imperial College London. The surge in cases coincides with the Covid-19 pandemic and is primarily attributed to rising obesity levels, the analysis of NHS data from 2011 to 2024 reveals. Type 2 diabetes poses serious health risks, including heart attacks, strokes, and early mortality.

Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent long-term organ damage, the charity Diabetes UK stresses. Treatment options, such as GLP-1 jabs and pills, may help individuals put the disease into remission through healthy lifestyle changes. Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 90% of the six million diabetes cases in the UK, with an increasing number of people under 30 now living with the condition.

Women are disproportionately affected among the younger cases. Researchers found that obesity rates at diagnosis have been climbing more rapidly among younger adults compared to older age groups, suggesting diet and lifestyle changes as potential causes. Obesity rates in England have worsened since the pandemic, with nearly one in three adults now considered obese.

The study's lead researcher, Dr. Shivani Misra, notes that the earlier onset of severe obesity in young people is contributing to their increased risk of type 2 diabetes at a younger age. This concerning development highlights the growing public health challenge, as the trend extends beyond previously identified high-risk ethnic minority groups to encompass white populations as well.