Obesity-related type 2 diabetes now accounts for a substantial proportion of newly recognized diabetes in the adolescent age group - and this proportion is escalating rapidly. Adverse cardiovascular risk factors are prevalent in this population. Public health measures to curtail the rise of obesity in childhood and adolescence are required urgently.

Young people with chronic illnesses have significant levels of dissatisfaction with the health care they receive; this has the potential to impact on their use of health care services and their health outcomes. There is a need for increased provider awareness of the important qualities of health care service delivery to young people.

No abstract