Children with obesity may have a four-fold greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared with children who are a normal weight.

Researchers in the United Kingdom (UK) used electronic health records collected across 375 English general practices. Children aged 2 to 15 years were included in the study. Information on body mass index (BMI) and diabetes diagnosis were collected from the electronic health records.

Researchers found that incidence of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes has been increasing in UK children and young adults during the study period 1994 – 2013. There was a four times higher incidence of type 2 diabetes in children who were obese compared to children of a normal weight.

For more information on the small changes you can make that could make big changes to your child’s future health take a look at our childhood obesity campaign.