Diabetes Doubles Among American Children

Prescriptions for treatment or prevention of Type 2 diabetes in children doubled over the course of four years. This finding comes in tandem with a government survey showing that an alarming number of U.S. children are overweight; excess weight is the most common cause of Type 2 diabetes.

Blindness, Limb Loss, Kidney Failure

Diabetics can experience serious additional complications such as blindness, limb amputations and kidney failure. An earlier onset of diabetes could also lead to an earlier onset of complications. The expense of treatment could put a considerable strain on the U.S. health care system.

No Longer "Adult-Onset"

Type 2 diabetes has often been called "adult-onset diabetes" because it usually develops in adults middle-aged or older. Incidence of type 2 diabetes, however, has increased at the greatest rate in recent years among teenagers aged 15 to 19 years old.

The percentage of children who are either overweight or at risk of being overweight rose to 34 percent in 2004, up from 28 percent in 2000.