Prevalence of type 2 diabetes risk factors, including overweight and obesity, among youth attending hospital‐based paediatric care in Western Melbourne

Abstract

Aim To determine the prevalence of risk factors for type 2 diabetes in overweight and obese adolescents attending hospital‐based paediatric care in Western Melbourne. Methods One hundred overweight and obese adolescents (aged 10–17 years) who attended an outpatient clinic at Sunshine Hospital between May 2019 and May 2020 were randomly selected following a retrospective chart review of 10–17 years old for whom a height and weight had been documented. Additional risk factors for type 2 diabetes were ascertained via structured telephone interview. Data were analysed to determine the overall prevalence of risk factors for type 2 diabetes, and to evaluate for associations between each parameter with body mass index and the number of risk factors. Results Of the 487 adolescents who had height and weight data recorded, 45% were overweight or obese. 77% of those who were interviewed had an additional risk factor for type 2 diabetes. No association between the number of risk factors and body mass index standard deviation score was found. Additionally, there was no association between the number of risk factors for type 2 diabetes and either family history of type 2 diabetes or ethnicity. Conclusions This paediatric subpopulation had a high rate of risk factors for type 2 diabetes in addition to overweight and obesity, and are at risk of premature mortality and chronic morbidity should they develop type 2 diabetes.