The incidence of type 2 diabetes has increased sharply among young women in England over the past decade, largely driven by rising obesity rates, according to a recent study. Researchers from Imperial College London analyzed NHS data from 2011 to 2024 and found that diagnoses among women aged 20 to 29 have risen by nearly 70 percent, a significantly higher increase compared to men in the same age group, who experienced a 43 percent rise.
The study, published in The Lancet Regional Health Europe, highlights a distinct generational pattern: while type 2 diabetes diagnoses have increased steadily among adults under 40, rates have declined among those aged 60 to 79. In this older group, diagnoses decreased by about 2 percent annually, though this demographic still represents the majority of diabetes cases in England.
Researchers noted that younger adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes now present with a greater average body mass index (BMI) than older adults with the condition. For women in their twenties, the average BMI increased from 37.7 in 2011 to a level classified as morbid obesity at 40.7 in 2024. This rise in severe obesity among young people is believed to be a key factor driving earlier onset of the disease, which tends to be more aggressive and associated with increased risks of complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and limb amputation.
Dr. Shivani Misra, lead author of the study and clinical associate professor at Imperial College London, expressed concern about the trend. She attributed the rise in early-onset type 2 diabetes to the broader “obesogenic environment,” characterized by widespread availability and marketing of unhealthy foods. Misra also emphasized that the condition is increasingly affecting white populations, whereas previous attention focused predominantly on ethnic minority groups known to have higher susceptibility.
The study authors called for targeted public health interventions addressing diet, physical activity, and broader determinants of obesity, particularly among younger populations. They also recommended considering preventive treatments, such as weight-loss medications, although Dr. Misra cautioned that more research is needed to confirm the long-term impact of drugs like GLP-1 receptor agonists in adolescents and young adults.
Helen Kirrane, representing Diabetes UK, described the findings as “deeply concerning” and underscored the complexity of type 2 diabetes, noting that it does not have a single cause. She urged government action to restrict the promotion of unhealthy foods and to promote environments conducive to healthier lifestyles. Kirrane stressed the importance of research focused on identifying those at greatest risk and tailoring support accordingly.
In total, more than four million people in the UK live with type 2 diabetes, a condition commonly linked to obesity and poor diet. The new data suggest an urgent need for earlier and more effective interventions to address the growing burden of the disease among younger generations.