Diabetes UK said childhood obesity was the “main driver” behind the rise recorded over five years. It described the figures as a “worrying wake-up call”.
The Local Government Association, which represents councils in England and Wales, said it was a “sobering reminder” that more needs to be done to achieve the Government’s aim of halving the number of children with obesity by the end of the decade.
According to figures published by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, 866 under-25s received treatment for type 2 diabetes from paediatric diabetes units in England and Wales in 2019-20.
That was a rise of 59 percent on the 2014-15 figure of 544. Just over 84 percent of those 866 were obese. The figures do not include those treated in primary care.
Nikki Joule, of Diabetes UK, said: “Type 2 diabetes can affect any age.”
The LGA wants to see investment in community sports facilities. It also called for greater long-term funding for local authority weight management services and healthy schools initiatives.
