Diabetes warning after a 46% increase in obesity in children aged four and five
It's led to a 'concerning' increase in those with type 2 diabetes
There has been a “concerning climb” in the number of children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes after the rates of childhood obesity soared, according to a charity.
Diabetes UK has found the number of children getting treatment for type 2 diabetes has increased as well as the number of children who are overweight.
The charity has warned that the cost-of-living crisis could lead to further problems in years to come.
It accused the Government of “letting our children down” as it called for concerted action to tackle obesity.
Huge increases in diabetes and obesity
Demand for care for those with type 2 diabetes at paediatric diabetes units across England and Wales has increased by more than 50% in the last five years, according to the charity’s analysis.
It comes after a big leap in the proportion of youngsters who are obese.
Figures for England show the proportion of children in reception class – those aged four and five – who are obese increased by 46% between 2019/20 and 2020/21 – from one in 10 children being obese in their first year of school to one in seven.
Cost of living crisis could worsen the problem
Diabetes UK say that in light of the additional burden of the cost-of-living crisis, the poorest children will “bear the brunt for decades to come”.
High levels of obesity and a squeeze on personal finances are creating a “perfect storm which risks irreversible harm to the health of young people”, the charity warned.
Diabetes UK said that children in the most deprived parts of England and Wales were “disproportionately affected” by the disease, with four in 10 children and young people with type 2 diabetes living in the poorest areas, compared to only one in 19 from the richest.
This echoes data for childhood obesity prevalence, it added.
Chris Askew, chief executive of Diabetes UK, said: “We are very concerned that this spike in childhood obesity will translate into an even greater increase in children with type 2 diabetes in the coming years, a crisis fuelled by long-standing health inequalities and made worse still by impacts of the cost-of-living crisis.
The government 'needs to act'
The Chief executive argued that the Government needs to do more in it's approach: “Government needs to entirely rethink its commitment to child health.
“This must start with urgently reversing the decision to backtrack on their obesity strategy commitments and go further still with bold steps to address childhood obesity and poorer outcomes for children living in poverty in the forthcoming Health Disparities White Paper.
“The UK Government is letting our children down.
“With soaring numbers of children now living with obesity, and numbers diagnosed with type 2 diabetes on a very concerning climb, we are facing a perfect storm which risks irreversible harm to the health of young people.”
The cost of living crisis
Interest rates and inflation go up
Inflation rose by 8.8% in the 12 months to January 2023, down from 9.2% in December 2022. With interest rates also rising to 4%, those saving money will earn more interest on their finances, whilst those paying mortgages would pay more interest to the bank.
Energy bills
The price of energy went up incredibly as the cost of living crisis hit, with the gas price spike caused largely by the war in Ukraine. The price cap - which is set by an independent regulator to help offset costs onto customers - was set to rise to £3,549 for an average home in October but a price freeze from the government restricted the typical bill to £2,500. That's still an increase of 27% from the previous energy cap and as it's a cap on unit cost, the more energy you use the higher your bill will be.
Food prices
The cost of a weekly shop also has gone up as a result of the cost of living crisis. As a result of the war in Ukraine, a number of products including cooking oils and wheat have been disrupted. This means that several products are now considerably more expensive, driving bills up for customers.
Prices at the pumps
The average cost of petrol has also rose to unprecedented levels. Supply lines for petrol have been thrown into doubt as a result of the war in Ukraine, as Russia is a large export partner for gas, oil and fuel. In April 2022, the average price for a litre of petrol on the forecourt was 160.2p, whilst a litre of diesel would cost 170.5p. By late June 2022 the price had risen to an average of 190.9p for a litre of unleaded and 198.9p for a litre of diesel. In March 2023 the price wass on average of 147.03 in petrol and 167.04 in diesel.
Average cost of filling up a car with petrol hits £100
On 9th June 2022, the average cost of filling up a car with petrol hit £100 for the first time ever. Diesel had already hit that milestone. It comes as the cost of fuel hit a record high of one pound eighty a litre. The 2p rise was the biggest daily jump in 17 years. Prices have dropped by at least 20p per litre since the high point.
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