Weight Reduction in Childhood Associated with Reduced Risk for Type 2 Diabetes

A heightened risk for type 2 diabetes in adulthood was eliminated in overweight boys who achieved a normal weight by puberty and sustained it into early adulthood.

To determine whether the risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in adulthood can be mitigated by weight reduction in overweight and obese children, researchers examined type 2 DM incidence at ages 30 to 60 years in a longitudinal study of 62,000 Danish men from boyhood. Evaluations occurred at age 7 years, at 13 years, and as young adults (ages 17–26). Results were as follows:

Eleven percent of men developed type 2 DM over nearly 2 million person-years of follow-up.
The prevalence of overweight was 5% at age 7 years, increasing to 8% in young adulthood.
While overweight at any age was associated with elevated risk for later type 2 DM, overweight as a young adult conferred the highest risk.
Boys who were overweight at age 7 years but had normal …

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

Weight Reduction in Childhood Associated with Reduced Risk for Type 2 Diabetes

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Reviewing Author