Increase in type 2 diabetes diagnosis, among younger people

Research from the International Diabetes Federation shows that one in ten people in South Africa are at risk of developing diabetes.  

On World Diabetes Day, experts are focusing on the message that the disease can affect people of all ages.

According to Dr Ankia Coetzee, an endocrinologist at Stellenbosch University, up to two thirds of South Africans remain undiagnosed for diabetes.  

She added that there are still many misconceptions around diabetes.  

” So one thing that people often think is that diabetes is an older person's disease, which is not true. Many people with diabetes are of working age and we are increasingly seeing type 2 diabetes in younger adults. 

She also said that there has been an increase in type 2 diabetes diagnosis, among younger people.

Coetzee believes that the eating habits of young people, are contributing to the rise in the numbers.

"Ideally, people need to get tested, even if they don't have any signs or symptoms. But, any organ system can be affected by diabetes. So, for instance, if your eyes are affected, you can start to have blurred vision. Also, diabetes impairs the immune system, so often patients have recurrent infections, they can have slow wound healing.”   

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