Traditionally, diabetes in adolescents was mostly considered type 1 diabetes. However, with improved living standards, earlier puberty, and other factors, the global prevalence of diabetes among young people has increased markedly in recent years. The main forms are early-onset type 2 diabetes and type 1 diabetes, which differ in pathogenesis, epidemiological characteristics, and health impacts.
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) in AdolescentsType 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that usually develops during childhood and adolescence. It generally requires lifelong insulin therapy.Approximately 100,000 young people under the age of 19 worldwide live with T1DM, with about 32,000 new cases each year.The annual incidence ranges from 0.6 to 4.0 per 100,000 children and adolescents, with higher rates in Northern Europe and lower rates in Africa.According to available data, over the past 20 years, China has ranked fourth globally in the number of children under 15 years of age with T1DM.
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in AdolescentsType 2 diabetes was once regarded as an “adult disease.” However, due to the rising prevalence of obesity among young people, the number of cases of early-onset T2DM (ages 15–34) has increased dramatically.From 1990 to 2021, the age-standardized incidence of T2DM among people aged 15–34 rose significantly worldwide.
By 2040, the global number of people aged 15–34 with early-onset T2DM is projected to reach approximately 6.32 million.