It is estimated that more than 25 million people in the US have Type 2 diabetes (previously known as adult-onset diabetes). Although this is less commonly seen in children, the incidence is occurring more and more frequently, typically in overweight and obese children as young as age 10 years and in teenagers.
This is different from T1D in that the body produces excessive amounts of insulin but the hormone does not function adequately and the cells are unable to respond appropriately to the insulin leading to a phenomenon called insulin resistance. Most of these individuals have a period of “prediabetes” prior to developing full blown type 2 diabetes.
Physical signs:
- Central obesity
- Acanthosis nigricans (dark velvety thickening on flexural surfaces of the skin)
- Hypertension