Childhood Prediabetes May Impact Nearly One Third of U.S. Adolescents: CDC

Researchers found that an estimated 8.4 million American youths are affected by childhood prediabetes, amid increasing concerns about the chronic health risks posed by ultra-processed foods that dominate many children’s diets.

As the U.S. food industry faces a growing number of ultra-processed food lawsuits, alleging that they have marketed junk foods toward children for decades that increase the risk of diabetes and other chronic health conditions, federal researchers now estimated that approximately one third of all U.S. children between the ages of 12 and 17 may be considered prediabetic.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a new report earlier this month, pointing out that 32.7% of U.S. adolescents are at an increased risk of being diagnosed with childhood diabetes, which is a chronic disease that can lead to serious health complications throughout their life, such as heart disease and stroke, particularly when left untreated.

Childhood prediabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels are elevated but not high enough for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. However, it signals a significantly increased likelihood of developing diabetes and related complications later in life. Since it often develops without noticeable symptoms, many cases go undiagnosed.

For the new study, federal researchers analyzed data from the CDC’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a nationally representative survey that collects information on demographics, health status and nutrition through interviews, physical exams and laboratory tests.

To be classified as having prediabetes, adolescents aged 12 to 17 needed a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level between 100 and 125, with no prior diabetes diagnosis. A diabetes diagnosis was defined as having an FPG of 126 or higher, or answering “yes” to the question: “Other than during pregnancy, have you ever been told by a doctor or health professional that you have diabetes or sugar diabetes?”

Researchers then applied U.S. Census data to estimate national prevalence. Their findings suggest that approximately 8.4 million adolescents in the U.S. currently meet the criteria for childhood prediabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes and Ultra-Processed Foods

While the CDC report does not mention reasons why the U.S. adolescent population may be at such great risk of developing type 2 diabetes, research focusing on ultra-processed food consumption in recent years has shed some light on the potential causes.

A federal health assessment published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier this year, points out that research shows ultra-processed foods are a major contributor to chronic childhood diseases, including diabetes, autism, obesity and other life-long health problems.

A prior study, conducted by French researchers also shows that certain food additives used in ultra-processed foods may increase risks of type 2 diabetes when they are combined. The researchers pointed out that combining modified starches, pectin, guar gum and other ultra-processed food additives can lead to a greater number of type 2 diabetes cases among consumers.

Findings such as these have led to multiple processed food lawsuits, arguing that food manufacturers have concealed ultra-processed food diabetes risks from the public. One such lawsuit, filed by Bryce Martinez in December 2024, alleges that the addictive and nutrient poor design of many popular junk food products caused him to develop type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as a teen.

As more information regarding the dangers of junk food comes to light, ultra-processed food lawyers are offering free consultations to individuals who developed chronic illnesses after regularly eating these kinds of products. The cases are being handled on a contingency basis, meaning legal fees are only collected if compensation is awarded.

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