Young People and Diabetes: What Puts Them at Risk?

Diabetes is becoming more common in young adults. It's a serious health issue. This condition is often diagnosed before age 40. It's called early-onset type 2 diabetes. It's different from the type that affects older adults. Early-onset diabetes progresses quickly. It also has a higher risk of complications. Researchers wanted to understand why this happens. They looked at 37 studies. These studies included different types of research. They found some key risk factors. Family history of diabetes was a big one. If your family has diabetes, you're more likely to get it. High body mass index (BMI) was another factor. This means being overweight or obese. Maternal gestational diabetes also played a role. This is when a mother has diabetes during pregnancy. Elevated fasting glucose levels were a strong indicator too. This means high blood sugar levels after not eating.The researchers also compared early-onset diabetes to late-onset diabetes. They found some differences. Family history, being male, and BMI were still important. But the impact varied. For example, BMI had a different effect in early-onset diabetes. So, what does this mean? Early-onset diabetes is influenced by many things. Genetics, metabolism, and lifestyle all play a role. To fight this, early screening is important. Lifestyle changes can also help. This includes eating healthy and exercising. These steps can reduce the risk. They can also delay the progression of the disease.