CDC finds nearly 1 in 3 US youth have prediabetes, but experts question scant data
In 2023, nearly 1 in 3 U.S. youngsters ages 12 to 17 had prediabetes, according to recently released data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That is far higher than a previous estimate that the condition affects about 1 in 5 kids.
There's no question that prediabetes in U.S. youth is a serious concern. The condition puts them at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes, plus heart disease, stroke and other metabolic problems.
But scientists who study and treat diabetes noted that CDC officials released only a 600-word online summary of their new findings — not the raw data nor a peer-reviewed published paper describing how they arrived at the new figure. The agency also changed the methodology used to calculate the higher estimate without a detailed explanation.
That underscores questions about the accuracy of information being released by America's top public health agency following widespread staff cuts in recent months, experts said.
'For any of the national health organizations now being decimated by firings (and) layoffs, I am going to be skeptical of data updates until there is transparency and clarity on the source of the data and analysis,' said Christopher Gardner, an expert in diabetes and nutrition at Stanford University.
The new analysis used 'the latest science and technologies' and 'the most updated methodology as science is continually evolving,' said Melissa Dibble, a CDC spokesperson.
'These new data highlight the magnitude of prediabetes among adolescents and serve as a critical wake-up call for the nation,' Dibble said in a statement.
The new analysis relied on the long-running National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which collects information on demographic and health indicators via interviews, examinations and laboratory testing.
Prediabetes is a precursor to diabetes, a disease in which sugar builds up in the blood. Prediabetes is characterized by slightly elevated blood sugar levels, indicating that a person may progress to developing Type 2 diabetes.
The researchers collected data about blood sugar levels in U.S. youth — but they also changed the methodology used to analyze the information, dramatically increasing the estimate of how common prediabetes is.
The new analysis concludes that about 8.4 million U.S. adolescents — or nearly 33% — have prediabetes. That's up from an estimate of 18% published in a 2020 peer-reviewed paper, which used the previous methodology. If the new methodology had been applied to that 2005-2016 data, the estimate would have been about 28%.
The increase from 28% to nearly 33% is not statistically significant, even though it reflects an apparent rise in prediabetes among kids, said Steven Kahn, a diabetes researcher at the UW Medicine in Seattle and editor-in-chief of the journal Diabetes Care. He said it's concerning that CDC officials provided such limited information about the new analysis. Such findings typically have been published in the agency's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report or submitted to a scientific journal for peer review and publication.
'I would like to believe it doesn't diminish the quality of CDC data,' said Kahn. 'However, because there's no raw data to look at, none of us can look at it to better understand where these numbers are derived from and what they really mean.'
Dr. Samar Hafida, an endocrinologist and representative for the American Diabetes Association, said the new analysis 'wasn't very transparent,' but she noted that the CDC's updated estimate generally squares with what doctors are seeing — an increase in youth with obesity and elevated blood sugar levels that put them at risk for serious future health problems.
'It could be that maybe the number slightly inflated, but I would hesitate to dismiss it,' she said.
It remains unclear what proportion of kids with prediabetes will go on to develop the disease, noted Dr. Dana Dabelea, a researcher who studies pediatric diabetes at the University of Colorado. Blood sugar levels can rise in response to developmental changes during puberty and then resolve later, she said.
Still, confirmed rates of obesity and diabetes among kids are rising.
The diabetes association recommends that children and adolescents should be screened for Type 2 diabetes starting at age 10 if they are overweight or have obesity or another risk factor for the disease. Focusing on healthy diet, exercise and other lifestyle factors is key, noted Hafida.
'It's still a call to action,' she said. 'There will likely be a surge in early onset Type 2 diabetes that we are not prepared to deal with.'
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Medscape
19 minutes ago
- Medscape
PCPs Guide to Prescribing Blood Thinners for AF
As a primary care physician (PCP), you're often the first healthcare professional that will identify cardiac issues, including atrial fibrillation (AF). Individuals with AF face a fivefold risk for stroke. Therefore, these patients are often prescribed blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants) to slow blood clotting, according to the American Society of Hematology (ASH). Up to six million Americans have AF, the risk for which increases with age. The ASH says there are 450,000 hospitalizations each year because of AF. It's very important to check on your patient's response within the first few months of taking blood thinners. In fact, patients with AF who took low doses of oral anticoagulants experienced a higher incidence of bleeding episodes during the first 3 months of treatment, according to a study published in Blood Advances . When Should PCPs Prescribe Anticoagulants? PCPs should consider prescribing oral anticoagulants when they are the principal caregivers for patients with AF, acute deep venous thrombosis, or acute pulmonary embolism, according to R. Michael Benitez, MD, a cardiologist at the University of Maryland Medical Center and a professor of medicine in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore. The decision to prescribe an oral anticoagulant must be based upon the patient's risk without anticoagulation weighed in context with the patient's risk for significant bleeding, he said. How Can Physicians Best Communicate the Rationale for Anticoagulant Therapy? When describing AF, PCPs can explain to patients that the upper chamber of heart is 'wiggling' and not effectively contracting and when blood is not being effectively moved forward, it tends to clot, said Benitez. Physicians can also share that a clot as small as 2 mm is large enough to cause a major stroke if it were to break loose from the inside of the top chamber and be pumped with the blood to the brain, suggested the cardiologist. 'The oral anticoagulant greatly reduces the risk of the formation of these blood clots and subsequent stroke,' Benitez said. 'Stroke is a terrible event that, if survived, often changes a patient's life permanently and significantly. In the setting of atrial fibrillation, anticoagulation greatly reduces the patient's risk of stroke.' Regarding deep venous thrombosis, physicians can explain that a blood clot in the leg veins could break loose and be pumped through the right side of the heart to the lungs. 'This event, pulmonary embolism, can cause critical illness or even death; the risk can be greatly reduced through the use of oral anticoagulants,' said Benitez. What Are Important Directives Regarding Usage? PCPs should stress that daily use is critical to the success of the drug in preventing stroke. 'In the case of the new direct oral anticoagulants, such as apixaban or rivaroxaban, the drugs both work very quickly but also wear off very quickly,' said Benitez. 'This means that even missing just 2-3 days is enough for the blood to again clot normally. It is essential that the drugs be taken daily to prevent stroke.' In the case of warfarin, the effect of the drug is more prolonged. While missing a single dose is unlikely to markedly change the degree of anticoagulation, it's still best to remind patients not to miss doses and take this daily as prescribed, according to Benitez. What Side Effects Should Be Discussed? It is extremely important with warfarin — and to a lesser degree with direct oral anticoagulants — to always make certain that there is no drug-drug interaction that might affect the degree of anticoagulation when new medications are introduced, such as antibiotics, said Benitez. Other side effects to bring to a patients' attention are minor bleeding (such as gum bleeding with dental flossing) or nose bleeds that stop easily, which don't require immediate medical attention. However, your patients should self-monitor bleeding episodes and know a course of action if injured. 'If bleeding will not readily stop then medical attention is needed, and patients who incur major injury or trauma are likely to be taken to an emergency facility where it is important for the staff caring for them to know what anticoagulant they are taking, the dose, and when they last took it,' Benitez said. 'Reversal agents are now available to normalize blood clotting.' Your patients may be concerned with food that could interact with these medications. Benitez said there are no significant food interactions or dietary restrictions. But when prescribing warfarin, some nutritional guidance is warranted. 'With warfarin, which is a vitamin K antagonist, it is essential that the patient limit their intake of food containing vitamin K, as it is essentially an antidote or reversal agent for the anticoagulant,' he said. Some sources of vitamin K are well-known, such as leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, and other greens. However, there are many other dietary sources rich in vitamin K that may not be as obvious, such as cauliflower and soy products, Benitez said. 'It is important for the patient to familiarize themselves with vitamin K-containing foods and to keep the intake of them low and steady from day to day if they are taking warfarin,' he said.
Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Over 60? Forget walking — unlock healthy aging with these 5 simple daily exercises
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Mobility might not get the same attention as cardio or strength training, but if you're over 60, it's one of the most important things you can do for your body. Good mobility helps you move with ease — whether that means staying comfortable on daily walks, reaching overhead without strain, or keeping up with your favorite activities as you age. It's also said to increase longevity, with research indicating that even simple mobility measures — like how fast someone walks (gait speed) or moves through everyday motions — are strong predictors of lifespan, independence, and quality of life. The good news? You don't need intense workouts or complicated routines to scale your mobility. A few minutes of low-impact, intentional movement each day can help maintain — and improve — your range of motion in key areas like the hips, shoulders, and spine. In this guide, we've rounded up five simple daily mobility exercises that are especially beneficial for older adults. They're gentle, effective, and easy to incorporate into your day — no gym required. Why does mobility matter more over 60? As we get older, our joints naturally lose some of their flexibility, and muscles can become tighter and less responsive. Reduced mobility can make everyday movements harder and increase the risk of falls or injury, even for people who stay relatively active. Targeted mobility exercises can be really helpful, especially when performed consistently. The five exercises below are low-impact and easy to follow, and they focus on key areas, including the hips, shoulders, spine, knees, and ankles. Done daily, they can improve movement quality, reduce stiffness, and help you keep doing the activities you enjoy for longer. 1. Cat-cow stretch The cat-cow stretch is a classic yoga move, but it's widely recommended by physiotherapists and trainers for improving spinal flexibility. It gently moves the spine through flexion and extension — helping to release tension in the back, neck, and shoulders while activating your core muscles. Start on all fours with your hands under your shoulders and knees under your hips. Gently arch your back, lift your head and tailbone, and let your belly drop — this is 'cow.' Then, round your spine upward, tuck your chin, and draw your belly in — this is 'cat.' Engaging your breath by inhaling as you arch and exhaling as you round can help you move more fluidly between positions and improve your control through the full range of motion. Aim for as many reps as feels comfortable. 2. 90/90 hip switch The 90/90 hip switch is one of the best mobility drills for happy hips. It's similar to the 90/90 hip stretch — a static version often used to release tight glutes — but this variation adds gentle movement to improve hip mobility. By rotating between sides, you target internal and external hip rotation — essential for walking, squatting, and getting up from the floor. It's low-impact, joint-friendly, and great for maintaining hip function as you age. Start seated on the floor with one leg bent at 90 degrees in front of you and the other at 90 degrees behind, so your knees point in opposite directions. Your front thigh should align with your torso, and your back thigh should extend out to the side. Keep your chest upright and hold your arms out in front of you. Slowly rotate your hips to switch sides, keeping both knees bent — aim for control, not speed. Do 6–8 reps (3–4 each side), focusing on smooth, steady transitions. 3. Standing wall angels Wall angels are a simple but effective move that work on shoulder mobility, posture, and upper back activation — all areas that tend to get tighter with age. They help open up the chest, improve posture, and retrain your body to move with better alignment. Just as you would with wall squats, start by standing with your back against the wall, feet about six inches away from the base. Flatten your lower back gently toward the wall, then raise your arms so your elbows and the backs of your hands are in contact with the wall, forming a goalpost or 'W' shape. Slowly slide your arms upward toward a 'Y' shape, then back down — keeping them as close to the wall as possible. Start with 6–8 slow reps, and don't worry if your hands or arms lift slightly off the wall — we're aiming for controlled movement through your available range, not perfection. Over time, wall angels can help reduce stiffness and support healthy, pain-free shoulder movement. They're a great one to add to your daily movement routine. 4. Ankle circles Ankle mobility often gets overlooked, but it's essential for balance, stability, and smoother walking as we age. Ankle circles are a simple, effective way to increase range of motion and reduce stiffness — they're perfect if your ankles feel tight after sitting or when walking on uneven ground. You can do this standing (using a wall or chair for support) or seated. Shift your weight onto one foot and lift the other foot up, with your knee bent at 90 degrees. Begin drawing slow, controlled circles with your foot — 5–10 in one direction, then reverse. Focus on moving from the ankle joint, not the leg, and keep the motion as smooth and steady as possible. Repeat on the other side. Want to add more of a challenge? After your circles, try gently tapping your toes forward and back, or side to side. This mimics the kind of movement your ankles use during real-world activities like walking, stepping, or changing direction. 5. Standing knee raises and extensions Keeping your knees strong is essential for walking, climbing stairs, and getting up from chairs with ease — but stiffness or discomfort in the knees is a common reality for people over 60. This gentle mobility move works the knees through a full range of motion without loading the joint, making it ideal for daily practice. Stand tall next to a wall or chair for support. Shift your weight to one leg, and slowly lift the opposite knee to hip height (or as high as feels comfortable). You can either lower the leg and repeat, or you can extend your lower leg out in front of you, hold for a second, then bend the knee again and lower your foot to the floor. Adding the leg extension helps strengthen the quads and improves control through the full range of motion in the knee joint. Aim for 6–8 reps per leg, focusing on control, not height. This not only supports healthy knee function, but also engages the muscles around the joint — like the quads, hamstrings, and hip flexors — to help with strength and stability. You don't need intense workouts to stay mobile and strong — just a few minutes of focused movement each day can make a big difference. These simple exercises are a great place to start if you want to move better, feel better, and stay active as you age. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button. More from Tom's Guide Forget push-ups — according to a scientist, these are the only two upper-body exercises you'll ever need Forget pull-ups — you only need 5 moves and a pair of dumbbells to build upper body strength and improve your posture Ditch the gym! This 5-move strength workout sculpts upper body muscle with just a pair of dumbbells
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Could a single shot at birth shield kids from HIV for years?
There's potentially exciting news from a trial conducted in monkeys: A single shot of gene therapy given to newborn monkeys appears to shield them from HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, for at least three years. Of course, studies conducted in animals don't always pan out in humans. But scientists say that if it does, it could save the lives of babies and children still imperiled by HIV. The study authors estimate that more than 100,000 children worldwide (largely in subSaharan Africa) are believed to contract HIV soon after birth, primarily via breastfeeding with an HIV+ mother. "Nearly 300 children are infected with HIV each day," said lead author Dr. Amir Ardeshir, associate professor of microbiology and immunology at the Tulane National Primate Research Center in New Orleans. "This approach could help protect newborns in high-risk areas during the most vulnerable period of their lives." His team published its findings July 30 in Nature. It noted that the new work hinges on the notion that in the first few weeks of a primate's life -- humans are primates, too -- the body's immune system is naturally more tolerant of "invaders," including gene therapies. The research focused on a tried-and-true form of HIV-fighting gene therapy. It works by programming cells to continuously produce HIV-fighting antibodies. The gene therapy was piggybacked onto a harmless adeno-associated virus (AAV) to help deliver it to the muscle cells of newborn rhesus macaques. Muscle cells were chosen because they are particularly long-lived, Ardeshir's team explained. The gene therapy instructs these cells to produce broadly neutralizing antibodies, or bNAbs, which are capable of neutralizing multiple strains of HIV. It's not the first time bNAbs have been used in gene therapy to fight HIV. However, in prior trials repeat injections were required to keep the immune system vigilant. In the new trial, "we turn these muscle cells -- which are long-lived -- into micro factories that just keep producing these antibodies," Ardeshir explained. When such an approach is used in older monkeys, however, the animals' robust immune systems turn against the therapy, shutting it down. That didn't happen when Ardeshir's team introduced it during a macaque's first few weeks of life. All of the monkeys who got a single shot of bNAbs therapy soon after birth were shielded from infection with HIV for at least three years, with no need for a booster. Tulane researchers said that's roughly the equivalent of a treatment that could ward off HIV in humans deep into adolescence. If the gene therapy was delivered even a bit later -- 8 to 12 weeks after birth -- the young monkey's more developed immune system swung into action to fight it, eroding its effectiveness. Giving the shot soon after birth seemed key, Ardeshir said. "This is a one-and-done treatment that fits the critical time when these mothers with HIV in resource-limited areas are most likely to see a doctor," he noted in a Tulane news release. "As long as the treatment is delivered close to birth, the baby's immune system will accept it and believe it's part of itself." Will it work in human babies? That's not entirely clear, since it's possible infants might be less amenable than monkeys to therapies that are delivered via AAV, the team said. The monkey trial also used only one strain of simian-human immunodeficiency virus, which is similar in some ways to HIV but may not reflect the variety of circulating strains of HIV strains. Still, the research team is hopeful. Giving families a one-shot preventive tool to protect their children would be especially useful in areas where access to repeat medical treatments can be tough, the researchers said. "Nothing like this was possible to achieve even 10 years ago," Ardeshir said. "This was a huge result, and now we have all the ingredients to take on HIV." More information Find out more about HIV and AIDS at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). SOURCE: Tulane University, news release, July 30, 2025 Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
