A groundbreaking study published in Diabetologia in December 2023 by Germán D. Carrasquilla and colleagues has unveiled significant insights into how changes in body size from childhood to adulthood can affect the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Unlike the risk of cardiovascular disease, which appears to be primarily influenced by adult body size, the study found that transitioning from a low body size in childhood to a high body size in adulthood significantly increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Key Findings
- Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: Individuals who were lean in childhood but became overweight or obese in adulthood faced the highest risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Specifically, their risk was higher compared to those who maintained an average body size throughout their life or those who were consistently large in both childhood and adulthood.
- Cardiovascular Risk Unaffected by Childhood Body Size: The study also discovered that the risk of cardiovascular disease is predominantly determined by the body size in adulthood, regardless of the body size during childhood.
Study Design and Population
The research utilized data from the UK Biobank, involving 364,695 individuals of European ancestry who were initially free of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Participants were categorized based on their self-reported body size at age 10 and their measured Body Mass Index (BMI) in adulthood. Over a median follow-up period of 12.8 years, 33,460 participants developed type 2 diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease.
Implications for Prevention
This study underscores the importance of maintaining a healthy weight from childhood through adulthood. It highlights the need for preventive measures not only for children currently experiencing obesity but also for those who are lean in childhood but at risk of becoming obese as adults. The findings advocate for a broader approach to preventive health measures, emphasizing the significance of healthy weight management throughout life to mitigate the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Conclusion
The research conducted by Germán D. Carrasquilla and his team provides valuable insights into the long-term health risks associated with changes in body size from childhood to adulthood. By demonstrating that individuals who grow from being lean in childhood to obese in adulthood have an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, the study calls for a more inclusive strategy in preventive health measures, focusing on healthy weight management across all stages of life.
