Researchers from Florida Atlantic University recently underwent an investigation to figure out why there has been a dramatic increase in pediatric type 2 diabetes diagnoses. Their findings are reported in a press release.
The study focused on children under five years of age. The researchers analyzed responses from the National Survey of Children’s Health, filled out from 2016-2020.
They discovered factors that contribute to the early development of type 2 diabetes could be more environmental than previously thought. Even though disease incidence in children under five years of age was low during the study period, the scientists found the following connections:
- Living near a library “was significantly associated with childhood T2D diagnoses” in 2016 and 2020. The researchers attribute this to “broader neighborhood and behavioral patterns that encourage sedentary, indoor activities rather than outdoor physical engagement.”
- How “walkable” a child’s neighborhood is was connected to disease diagnosis.
- Children that received SNAP and free or reduced-cost meals are thought to have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The authors call for prevention efforts to include environmental factors and food quality. They also emphasized that while environmental associations were found, “obesity remains the strongest and most common risk factor for TD2 in children.”
Lea Sacca, Ph.D., senior author and an assistant professor of population health in FAU’s Schmidt College of Medicine said in a statement, “The rise in early-onset type 2 diabetes is a growing public health concern. Addressing it requires a comprehensive strategy. That includes improving access to nutritious foods, creating healthier neighborhood environments, and investing in policies that promote long-term wellness from the very start of life.”
