CDC finds one in three teens has pre-diabetes

Aug 13, 2025, NBC10, Cranston, RI: CDC reports one in three teenagers has pre-diabetes

https://turnto10.com/features/health-landing-page/cdc-reports-one-three-teenagers-pre-diabetes-conditions-medical-hasbro-childrens-hospital-august-13-2025?photo=1 

"That's a significant number of children who are at risk for type two diabetes and the metabolic complications that come with that such as high cholesterol, heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure," said Dr. Jon Tatum, who specializes in treating children with diabetes at Hasbro Children's Hospital.

It used to be older, overweight--often sedentary--adults who'd be at risk for developing diabetes.

Now it's trickling down to kids.

"Type two diabetes in children is a lot more aggressive disease than it is in adults with earlier complications and higher likelihood of needing insulin to treat them as adults," said Tatum of this CDC report.

Now, more doctors are testing their young patients for pre diabetes.

"Pre-diabetes means that sort of this early sign that your body is not handling sugar appropriately," he said.

Those kids thought to be at higher risk are those who are overweight or obese--they may be sedentary or have a strong family history.

"There are things that we can do outside of medication, insulin, like we use to treat type one diabetes that can certainly help prevent it or reverse it, mainly through diet and exercise," said Tatum.

"I think bigger picture you know there's a lot of work to be done on a policy level, ensuring that healthy foods are available and ensuring that people have green spaces, safe places to live and to exercise and ensuring that healthy food is available," said Tatum.

Usually there are no symptoms when a child has pre-diabetes. It's silent. By the time they do have symptoms--urinating more often, waking up to urinate at night and being extra thirsty, they have full-blown diabetes.

If you have concerns, you should talk to your doctor about your child's blood levels being tested.