Rise in type 2 diabetes among younger women linked to obesity
A surge in obesity is driving an increase in type 2 diabetes diagnoses among younger women, according to recent data or reports.
The Full Story
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Rise in type 2 diabetes among younger women linked to obesity
A new study from Imperial College London has revealed a sharp increase in type 2 diabetes among young women in England, driven by rising obesity levels. The research, covering data from 2011 to 2024, found that new cases among women aged 20 to 29 jumped by 69 per cent. Among men of the same age, the increase was 43 per cent.
The trend is particularly concerning because type 2 diabetes was traditionally seen as a condition affecting older adults. The study shows that while rates are declining in people over 60, they are rising in those under 40. The rise was already happening before the Covid-19 pandemic, but there has been a further uptick since 2020.
Experts point to the early onset of obesity as a key factor. In the past, people often developed obesity in their 50s or 60s and then type 2 diabetes a few years later. Now, obesity is occurring in teenagers and even earlier, pulling the age of diabetes diagnosis down. The reasons for this are complex and likely involve changes in diet, physical activity, and the wider food environment.
The findings have prompted calls for better investment in prevention, particularly targeting younger age groups. The NHS already runs a national diabetes prevention programme, but researchers say it needs to focus more on under-40s. There is also debate about the role of weight loss drugs, such as GLP-1 medications (often called "skinny jabs"). While these are effective at causing weight loss and improving diabetes, experts caution that they may need to be taken long-term, and weight is often regained when the drugs are stopped.
Doctors also warn that many cases of type 2 diabetes in young women are being missed because early symptoms can be vague, including increased thirst, frequent urination, tiredness, and minor infections. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent long-term complications such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems.
The study highlights a growing public health challenge that will require action across multiple fronts, from better food policies to targeted screening and support for young people at risk.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Channel 5 | ITV |
|---|---|---|
| The rise in type 2 diabetes among young people is linked to increasing obesity levels, with body mass index at diagnosis rising significantly. | ||
| Type 2 diabetes diagnoses among women aged 20-29 in England rose by almost 70% over the last decade, driven by a surge in obesity. | ||
| Early symptoms of type 2 diabetes are often vague and can be missed. | · | |
| Weight loss drugs were originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes. | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
This channel gave a very brief, straight-to-the-point summary of the study, focusing on the headline statistic (70% increase) and the link to obesity. It did not include any expert interviews or discussion of causes or solutions, treating it as a short news item among other stories.
- “The study found the condition jumped almost 70% among 20 to 29-year-old women in England over the last decade.”
- “There's been a rise in type 2 diabetes among younger women driven by a surge in obesity.”
This channel provided an in-depth interview with the lead author, Dr Shivani Misra, exploring the pandemic link, the role of obesity, and the complexity of causes. It also discussed weight loss drugs and prevention programmes, giving a balanced, expert-led analysis of the data and its implications.
- “what the study shows is this divergent trend, right? So over 60s, the trend is declining, but under 40s it's going up.”
- “earlier onset of obesity, severe obesity, is dragging down this age of diagnosis to younger ages.”
- “we need to reflect and think, do we want young people to be on this for the rest of their lives?”
This channel used an interview with GP Dr Sarah Jarvis to explain the obesity link, highlight that many cases are missed due to vague symptoms, and discuss weight loss drugs. It also briefly addressed unrelated fertility myths, but the diabetes segment focused on practical advice and the importance of early diagnosis.
- “the trend very much matches the trend in the increase of people living with obesity.”
- “the early symptoms of diabetes can be very, very vague.”
- “weight loss drugs were originally devised as drugs to treat type 2 diabetes, and extremely effective they were and continue to be.”
Broadcast Timeline
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