Does anyone know if the incidence of diabetes type 1 has increased greatly in the last 20 years?

Question

Has it increased in 0-5 years olds?

thanks for the great answers. It is hard to get the numbers on the increase or whether the increase is in families with no prior history. I wish this would be tracked better so that the cause might be determined.

Answer 1

Supposedly, yes. Some studies have indicated the risk has increased greatly in the 0-5 year old age group. There have been some studies that have refuted this, however, and the incidence appears to be about the same.

The reasons that Dr.Evil gave are actually correct in theory. Although we believe it is environmental factors that are causing the increase, we cannot deny that Type 1 diabetics being able to reproduce has increased the frequency of a genetic disposition for the disease in their offspring. That is simply fact. Although the risk is still low in *most* cases, it is significantly higher than the general population.

If you think about it, a younger age at onset (0-5 years) tends to imply a larger genetic disposition.

Possible environmental factors may be: a lack of vitamin D early in life (an immune modulator), viruses, environmental toxins, and early dietary gluten and casein exposure. There are possibly many others we are not aware of.

So, a combination of an increase in specific genotypes, and an increase in environmental triggers is to blame in theory for an increase in the 0-5 year old onset group.

In my personal opinion, I do NOT believe that Type 1 is triggered earlier by obesity in children. Most Type 1's do not have any form of insulin resistance, so I doubt insulin resistance is the cause of auotimmunity here. I do know that many who develop Type 1 go thorough a growth sprurt and are often taller and heavier just prior to onset. This could be due to erratic insulin and hormone levels as the beta cells are killed off. This seems like a more logical explanation to me. Either way, this isn't a factor that can actually prevent Type 1 in the long run regardless. The vast majority of Type 1's are thin before onset. I think BOTH Type 1 AND obesity are increasing in children independently, but that doesn't automatically mean they are related.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

2

Answer 4

There is an increase in Type 1 diabetics. This is thought to be due to several reasons such as increase in vaccines, viruses, bottle feeding, and obesity.

Obesity is common in Type 2 diabetes. However, the insulin resistance seen in Type 2 diabetes is what some researchers feel trigger Type 1's. They are already predisposed, but the increase in weight brings on the insulin resistance which triggers the Type 1.

A great article on it can be read at the link below.

Answer 5

I don't know of any increase of Type 1 diabetes but the rate of Type 2 is increasing due to people's eating and exercising habits.

Poor diet and lack of exercise can cause one to become pre-diabetic. Type 2 is also increasing in children because the rate of childhood obesity is rising.

Answer 6

Overall it has stayed stable at around 1% of the population (UK figures). Type 2 figures are rising drastically year on year.
The incidence of type 1 in 0 - 5 year olds is also stable (coundn't find any figures on it though);

Answer 7

Yes, firstly, the incidence has increased greatly because the world population has increased greatly in the last 20 years.

Secondly, T1's last longer now, hence, they can create more rugrats over their lifetime who will carry the T1 gene.

Thirdly, more T1's can multiply now due to better reproductive medical solutions.

Answer 8

Good question. From what I understand it has. That's reading and asking my Doctor if the increased number of Diabetic Patients has any thing to do with it. The waiting room appeared pretty empty years ago, now it's full and it's hard to get an appointment.