The CDC data means an estimated 8.4 million young people -- or 32.7% of the U.S. adolescent population -- had prediabetes in 2023, the most recent data available.

An estimated 1 in 3 teens and preteens, ages 12 to 17, have prediabetes, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC data means an estimated 8.4 million young people – or 32.7% of the U.S. adolescent population – had prediabetes in 2023, the most recent data available.

With prediabetes, blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis.

  • commander@lemmy.world
    311·
    21 hours ago

    I didn’t realize until around like 2016 realizing from a steady stream of new coworkers out of high school to fresh college grads talking about their doctor telling them they were prediabetic. Then lunchtime with them either they brought from home or purchased during work lunch time, I didn’t realize how many families made juice/soda and desert a part of every meal. Bag of chips or slice of cake or it wasn’t a full meal so it was hard for these now adults to feel complete without a sugary drink and either a fried salty snack or sweet pastry

    People snack during the day, and for many that means smaller main meals, but some people snack equivalent of whole meals. Like 3 meals a day plus the equivalent of at least one more just in unfocused regular downing of small bites, whether in reasonable amounts healthy or like mini slim jim’s, and energy drinks

    • paraphrand@lemmy.worldEnglish
      8·
      20 hours ago

      Gotta have those dopamine hits from the extremely sweet drinks. If they are carbonated, then you get even more dopamine!

      Things were not perfect for me growing up, but I’m glad desert with every meal wasn’t a thing my family did. I’ve met many people who think about it like how you described.

      • Balaquina@lemmy.caEnglish
        5·
        11 hours ago

        Interesting about the carbonation. I used to think I was addicted to the sugar in soft drinks. Turns out, nope, I’m addicted to the bubbles. I drink carbonated water like it’s going out of style, and rarely drink the sugar drinks now.

        • foggy@lemmy.world
          1·
          4 hours ago

          You just learned an important thing about addiction.

          I learned that I wasn’t addicted to tobacco. I was addicted to smoke.

          I wasnt addicted to smoke, I was addicted to that punch in the lungs. A vape or similar could replace.

          I’m wasn’t addicted to that punch in the lungs, it just gives me pause from my anxious brain.

      • commander@lemmy.world
        4·
        19 hours ago

        That also reminds me and some troubles of picking breakfast with some people. Some people really need pancakes/waffles with butter and syrup for breakfast. Or something similarly sweet and fatty.

        Bagel with what looks and feels to me when eating, an insane amount of cream cheese. At least that I can ask for a thin swipe

  • teppa@piefed.caEnglish
    15·
    19 hours ago

    I stopped eating food with added sugar and I do feel much healthier now. The food we eat is cancerous and its not worth the future pain, diabetes also is no joke as you can easily lose a leg.

    I also stopped drinking caffeine and havent had a migraine since.

    • athairmor@lemmy.world
      3·
      1 hour ago

      You can’t “easily lose a leg”.

      That’s some the dumbest hyperbole I’ve seen on Lemmy.

      It’s extreme rare to lose a limb to diabetes. You’d have to have severe, uncontrolled diabetes for a long time.

    • BrianTheeBiscuiteer@lemmy.world
      9·
      14 hours ago

      It’s one of those things where politicians say (as they do with cigarettes), “Well, everyone knows it’s bad, but people are free to make bad choices.” A crackdown on added sugars and derivatives (HFCS) would do way more to help public health than banning food dyes.

  • PattyMcB@lemmy.world
    11·
    19 hours ago

    I’m skeptical at that high a number, but I’d need to see the sample and margin of error to really make a judgement on the study

    • bigfondue@lemmy.world
      9·
      19 hours ago

      It’s similar to numbers I’ve seen for adults previously. 70% of adults are obese or overweight. This is who are setting the norms for children. I basically never see young people outside (I run and walk a lot). I see kids waiting for the school bus in the morning, and half of them are sitting in their parents cars. They get driven down the fucking street and can’t be bothered to stand for 5 minutes.

  • the_q@lemmy.zip
    149·
    14 hours ago

    Until you have diabetes everyone is prediabetic.

    Edit: this was supposed to be a joke.

  • womjunru@lemmy.cafeEnglish
    72·
    21 hours ago

    I won’t have to worry about the kids taking my job, because they’ll all be too sick to work.