High prevalence of adolescent prediabetes/T2DM (PLOS Feb 2026)
Key Questions
What is the prevalence of prediabetes and T2DM in US adolescents according to the PLOS study?
Approximately 30.8% of US youth aged 10–19 have prediabetes or T2DM, with prediabetes being dominant, linked to central obesity especially in boys, and rising per CDC data.
What factors accelerate puberty and relate to diabetes risk?
Higher steroid hormones, elevated BMI, and stress are associated with earlier puberty onset by about 7 months in girls, per the LEGACY study, potentially accelerating T2D risk.
What new findings exist on genes and T2DM?
A diabetes study reveals dozens of previously overlooked genes strongly linked to type 2 diabetes, from research by The Jackson Laboratory.
How common is disordered eating in pediatric obesity patients?
Disordered eating behaviors and cognitions are common among pediatric patients with obesity, with key takeaways emphasizing compassionate treatment approaches like 'This is not your fault'.
What trends are seen in girls' puberty timing?
Girls are experiencing periods as early as age 9, refreshed from a 2025 article, tied to factors like BMI and stress influencing earlier onset.
~30.8% US 10–19yo (prediabetes dominant); central obes/boys; CDC rise. New: DGBI 36%; AN IR; Kaiser coaching; wearables/AHA TG; steroids/BMI/stress accel puberty 7mo (LEGACY); T2D genes. Scale screening.