Scottish children battling diabetes amid childhood obesity crisis

At least 700 children in Scotland are currently living with type 2 diabetes, a condition closely linked to excess body fat.

Latest statistics reveal a troubling trend with a third of children in Scotland overweight by the time they reach 14 years old. Cases of diabetes among children have surged by two-thirds since 2003, with experts calling for urgent action to address this growing health crisis.

Jennifer Forsyth, Obesity Action Scotland, highlighted the alarming increase in diabetes cases: “At least 60,000 more people have type 2 diabetes compared to ten years ago. Obesity and being overweight are strongly linked to it.”

Forsyth also warned that tens of thousands more children could face a diabetes diagnosis if preventative measures are not taken. The latest figures from 2022 indicate that up to 20 children under five, nearly 100 children aged 10 to 14, and over 600 teens aged 15 to 19 have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. This condition is often caused by excess fat in the liver and pancreas.

John Kinnear, Diabetes Scotland, emphasised the need for a healthier food environment: “We need to create a food environment that helps us all live more healthily.”

 As childhood obesity continues to rise, the call for immediate and effective intervention becomes more critical than ever.