High prevalence of adolescent prediabetes/T2DM (PLOS Feb 2026)
Key Questions
What is the prevalence of prediabetes and T2DM in US adolescents?
Approximately 30.8% of US youth aged 10–19 are affected, mostly with prediabetes. Central obesity is a key factor, with higher rates in boys and rising CDC youth T2D cases.
What are the main risk factors for adolescent prediabetes/T2DM?
Key risks include central obesity, sedentary lifestyles, sleep issues, and overweight in 15M Indian kids. Acanthosis nigricans serves as an insulin resistance sign.
How effective are prevention strategies like sleep and MVPA?
Improving sleep and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity can reduce insulin resistance by 15%. Strategies like Kaiser coaching lowered A1C from 6.5 to 5.8 with 20lb loss.
What role do wearables play in predicting insulin resistance?
Wearables using deep neural networks and biomarkers can predict insulin resistance. This supports scaling screening, coaching, and referrals for at-risk youth.
What is the link between obesity in kids and DGBI?
36% of obese kids have disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI). Combined with hypertriglyceridemia classification, it refines risk-based care for metabolic issues.
~30.8% US 10–19yo affected (mostly prediabetes); central obesity key, boys higher; CDC rising youth T2D. India: 15M kids overweight, sedentary/sleep issues; sleep/MVPA prevention cuts IR 15%. New: 36% obese kids DGBI; AN IR sign; Kaiser coaching (A1C 6.5→5.8, 20lb loss); wearables DNN+biomarkers predict IR. Scale screening/coaching/referrals.