Environmental health training and courses
Develop the skills your team needs with expert-led environmental health training. With nearly 140 years of experience, our flexible courses are available online, in person or tailored to your organisation.
Incidence of type 2 diabetes is increasing in adults under 40
Type 2 diabetes is increasing in under-40s with a sharp rise in cases among white, Asian and black women aged 20–29 years, and in white women aged 30–39 years
Research suggests type 2 diabetes prevention strategies may be less effective in younger generations as experts call for those at risk to be identified earlier
Rates of type 2 diabetes are rising rapidly among younger adults in England, particularly women, despite falling among older age groups, according to a major population study. Type 2 diabetes is a long-term condition in which the body does not produce enough insulin, or cannot use it effectively, causing blood sugar levels to become too high.
The research, published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, is the first to analyse trends in new type 2 diabetes diagnoses across England's entire population by age, sex and ethnicity using data from the National Diabetes Audit between 2011 and 2024.
While overall rates of type 2 diabetes have appeared stable, the new analysis reveals a clear generational divide. Incidence is increasing in adults under 40, while declining among older people, who account for the largest proportion of new diagnoses.
Researchers warn the trend is particularly concerning because developing type 2 diabetes at a younger age is associated with earlier death, a greater lifetime risk of serious complications and poorer pregnancy outcomes.
The study also found that younger women are driving the increase, with rising rates seen among white, Asian and black women aged 20-29, and white women aged 30-39.
Dr Shivani Misra, Clinical Associate Professor at Imperial College London, who led the study, said, “While these ethnic groups are disproportionately affected with early-onset type 2 diabetes, we now see that incidence is also increasing in white populations too, showing that this public health challenge is broadening across the generation.”
"We think that the earlier onset of severe obesity in young people is increasing their type 2 diabetes risk in early life and pulling down their age at diagnosis.”
Researchers also identified a marked increase in body mass index (BMI) at diagnosis among younger adults. The rise in BMI was around twice that seen in older adults, suggesting successive generations are developing type 2 diabetes at increasingly severe levels of obesity. Among younger white women, average BMI at diagnosis was approaching 40kg/m², the threshold for severe obesity.
Dr Misra said, “What is new from this study is the scale of the change occurring in younger adults. We think that the earlier onset of severe obesity in young people is increasing their type 2 diabetes risk in early life and pulling down their age at diagnosis.”
The authors say the findings highlight the need to rethink prevention strategies, with greater emphasis on younger adults through earlier identification of those at risk, improved engagement with diabetes prevention programmes and timely access to effective weight management interventions. However, they stress that population-level prevention remains essential.
“There are many factors in society today that can contribute to someone developing obesity,” Dr Misra added. “If we are serious about reducing the future burden of type 2 diabetes, we need stronger public health measures that create healthier environments.”
Responding to the findings, Helen Kirrane, Head of Policy, Campaigns and Mobilisation at Diabetes UK, described the rise in younger adults as “deeply concerning” and called for further government action, including restrictions on the promotion of unhealthy food and measures that support healthier lifestyles.
