Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases among children and youth. In the years 2008/2009, it was reported that 3,287 cases of diabetes, which included type 1 and type 2 diabetes, was found among Canadians aged one to 19 years old. This results in a total number of 25, 693 cases in children and youth.
Previously, it was believed that all cases of diabetes in young individuals was type 1 diabetes. However, over the past 20 years, type 2 diabetes has been on the rise. Furthermore, after a study that was done in British Columbia, it as determined that approximately 90% of individuals aged one to 19 years old had type 1 diabetes and about 10% had type 2 diabetes. Also, with the increase of obesity rates within children and youth, rates of type 2 diabetes is increasing as well. Hence, the ratio of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in this population is expected to be impacted. For example, a recent study reported that about 95% of children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes were obese.
In Canada, trends for type 2 diabetes in children and youth is based on specific populations and provinces. In Manitoba, for example, 35 to 40 new cases of childhood type 2 diabetes were reported in 2004, which represents about 30% of childhood diabetes in Manitoba annually. And in Nova Scotia, about 5 new cases of type 2 diabetes per 100,000 children under the age of 19 were reported.
More Information & Statistics
Previously, it was believed that all cases of diabetes in young individuals was type 1 diabetes. However, over the past 20 years, type 2 diabetes has been on the rise. Furthermore, after a study that was done in British Columbia, it as determined that approximately 90% of individuals aged one to 19 years old had type 1 diabetes and about 10% had type 2 diabetes. Also, with the increase of obesity rates within children and youth, rates of type 2 diabetes is increasing as well. Hence, the ratio of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in this population is expected to be impacted. For example, a recent study reported that about 95% of children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes were obese.
In Canada, trends for type 2 diabetes in children and youth is based on specific populations and provinces. In Manitoba, for example, 35 to 40 new cases of childhood type 2 diabetes were reported in 2004, which represents about 30% of childhood diabetes in Manitoba annually. And in Nova Scotia, about 5 new cases of type 2 diabetes per 100,000 children under the age of 19 were reported.
More Information & Statistics
- More than 75% of children and youth with type 2 diabetes have at least one relative with the disease
- In Canada, more than 90% of children and youth with type 2 diabetes have a first or a second degree family member with diabetes
- Type 1 diabetes is most common among children and youth of northern European descent
- 75% of Canadian children with type 2 diabetes belong to a high risk ethnic group (First Nations, African/Caribbean, Hispanic, and South Asian)
- About 8% of children under the age of 18 develop diabetes
- In children aged less than five years, boys are more likely to be affected than girls