WASHINGTON (Jan. 9, 2023) -- New research projects a sharp increase in diabetes among US youth by the year 2060. Public health experts blame the rise in Type 2 diabetes on high rates of childhood obesity. William Dietz, Chair of the Sumner M. Redstone Global Center for Prevention and Wellness at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, says the new data raise some major public health concerns. He says the U.S. must redouble its efforts to curb childhood obesity and prevent Type 2 diabetes, especially in Hispanic and Black youth who are at higher risk.
“Resources and prevention efforts should focus on the underlying drivers of obesity, such as structural racism that affects access to healthy neighborhoods,” he said. Healthy neighborhoods offer plenty of places to get nutritious food and lots of parks and other ways for children and teens to get enough physical activity. Dietz points out that minority youth are more likely to live in unhealthy environments that raise the risk of obesity and Type 2 diabetes.
To interview Dietz about the increase in diabetes among youth and ways to prevent and manage it, including new drug treatments, please contact GW Media at [email protected]
-GW-