Type 2 diabetes is increasingly being diagnosed among Malaysian children as young as 14, raising concerns among health professionals about the long-term impacts of the disease on young patients. According to the Health Ministry, early onset of Type 2 diabetes exposes children to prolonged high blood sugar levels, which significantly increases the risk of developing complications such as kidney failure, vision loss, heart disease, and hypertension at a younger age.
Senior paediatrician Datuk Dr Amar Singh HSS highlighted that the rise in childhood Type 2 diabetes is closely linked to the growing prevalence of obesity among Malaysian children over the past two decades. Data from the Ministry’s National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) indicate that the obesity rate in children increased from 5.4% in 2006 to 14.8% in 2019. The 2024 NHMS further reported that 28% of school-aged children and teenagers were outside the healthy weight range, with nearly equal proportions classified as overweight and obese. The World Obesity Federation estimates that nearly three million Malaysian children aged five to 19 were overweight or living with obesity in 2025.
Dr Amar Singh pointed out that while genetics play a role in susceptibility, lifestyle factors such as sedentary behaviour, excessive screen time, and diets rich in ultra-processed and sugary foods are major contributors to the increased risk. He warned that children who develop Type 2 diabetes at such a young age could face more severe health complications earlier than typically expected, often requiring insulin therapy sooner than adults with the disease.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad revealed that, as of last year, 1,932 patients under 30 were registered with the National Diabetes Registry, marking a slight increase from 1,926 in 2024. By June this year, an additional 660 new cases had been recorded.
In response to this challenge, medical experts are advocating for earlier identification and intervention in children at risk. Datuk Dr Amar Singh urged parents and healthcare providers to monitor children’s growth closely and intervene before Type 2 diabetes develops. He emphasized that parents should lead by example through healthier eating and increased physical activity and called for urban planning that promotes outdoor activities, including more green spaces and greater use of public transport, to counteract sedentary lifestyles.
Federation of Private Medical Practitioners’ Associations Malaysia president Dr Shanmuganathan Ganeson noted that while routine diabetes screening is not performed on all young patients, it should be considered for those with risk factors such as obesity or a strong family history of diabetes. He stated that tests like HbA1c or oral glucose tolerance can detect pre-diabetes, presenting a critical opportunity to implement lifestyle changes to prevent or delay the progression to full-blown diabetes. Dr Shanmuganathan stressed the importance of targeted screening rather than indiscriminate testing, advising at-risk youth and their families to consult healthcare professionals about appropriate testing.
Together, these perspectives underscore the urgent need for a multi-faceted approach involving early risk identification, lifestyle modification, and supportive community environments to address the rising incidence of Type 2 diabetes among Malaysian youth.