“The cure rate for diabetes among 19-39 year olds is only 34.6%”
“9 out of 10 young people with diabetes are obese”
“Improve awareness of the high risk of complications in the elderly”
Among young diabetic patients in their 20s and 30s, only about 3 out of 10 are receiving medication. It has been pointed out that young people are at high risk of developing diabetes complications and that diabetes awareness needs to be improved.
The Korean Diabetes Association announced on the 7th that this was found as a result of analyzing the ‘Status of Diabetes in the Elderly and Young Adults in Korea’ targeting adults aged 19 or older who underwent national health checkups from 2019 to 2022 based on data from the National Health Insurance Service.
As a result of the analysis, among about 300,000 young people with diabetes (ages 19 to 39), the diabetes awareness rate (proportion of people diagnosed with diabetes by a doctor) was only 43.3%. On the other hand, elderly patients showed a recognition rate of 78.8%.
The cure rate of young diabetic patients with low disease awareness was significantly lower than that of the elderly. Among young diabetic patients, only 34.6%, or 3 out of 10, were receiving medication. On the other hand, 75.7% of elderly diabetic patients were found to be receiving medication.
The diabetes control rate among young diabetic patients was also found to be very low. Diabetes control rate is based on ‘glycated hemoglobin’, which is the average level of blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months. Medical institutions recommend that diabetic patients maintain glycated hemoglobin below 6.5%. However, as a result of the analysis, the control rate of young diabetes patients was 29.6%. About 3 out of 10 people reached their blood sugar control goal.
In particular, among young people in their 20s, the diabetes awareness and treatment rates were very low. The awareness rate of diabetes among people in their 20s was 27.1%, and the treatment rate was only 16.5%.
It was found that a large number of young diabetic patients had obesity and abdominal obesity. Among young diabetic patients, normal weight remained at the level of 5%, 8% were overweight, and 87% were obese. The abdominal obesity rate was 88.8% for men and 75.5% for women, and the majority were found to be unable to maintain an appropriate waist circumference.
There was also a significant difference in diabetes control rates between genders. The proportion of patients in their 20s who maintained a glycated hemoglobin level of less than 6.5% was more than twice as high among men (35.1%) compared to women (14.8%). Among those in their 30s, 25.6% were men and 41% were women.
Obesity is the main cause of diabetes, so it is important to maintain an appropriate weight not only for diabetic patients but also for healthy people, including those in the pre-diabetes stage who have not been diagnosed with diabetes.
Cha Bong-soo, chairman of the Korean Diabetes Association, said, “Young people are at a higher risk of developing diabetes complications because they develop the disease faster than the elderly.” He added, “You should not overestimate
your health or take diabetes lightly just because you are young, and you should actively work to improve diabetes awareness among young people.” “And continuous efforts are needed,” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, the Korean Diabetes Association and the Korean Medical Biotechnology Association plan to hold a joint symposium at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul on December 13 to examine the rapidly increasing number of diabetes patients in Korea and seek support policies.
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Interview: Time.news Editor Meets Diabetes Expert Cha Bong-soo
Editor: Welcome, Dr. Cha Bong-soo. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the alarming statistics regarding diabetes among young individuals in Korea. Your recent findings show that only 34.6% of young people with diabetes in the 19-39 age bracket are receiving medication. That’s quite concerning. What do you attribute this low treatment rate to?
Cha Bong-soo: Thank you for having me. The low treatment rate is primarily due to a lack of awareness and education about diabetes among young individuals. Many do not realize they have the condition until it leads to serious complications. Our study revealed that only 43.3% of young diabetic patients are aware they have diabetes, compared to 78.8% among the elderly. This gap suggests that education efforts are not reaching the younger population effectively.
Editor: That’s a significant difference. It seems there’s a misconception that diabetes primarily affects older adults. How does this misunderstanding impact younger people’s health?
Cha Bong-soo: Exactly. Because young people often believe they are invincible, they tend to underestimate the seriousness of diabetes. This can lead to a lack of proactive health management. As a result, they are at a higher risk for developing severe complications more quickly than older adults. The rapid onset of diabetes complications in younger patients is alarming.
Editor: You mentioned in the report that the obesity rate among young diabetics is striking, with 87% classified as obese. How does obesity contribute to the prevalence of diabetes in this demographic?
Cha Bong-soo: Obesity is a major risk factor for developing diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes. The excess body fat, particularly visceral fat around the abdomen, affects insulin sensitivity and can lead to higher blood sugar levels. This is concerning given our findings that 88.8% of young men and 75.5% of young women with diabetes have abdominal obesity. The lifestyle habits contributing to this obesity, such as poor diet and lack of physical activity, need to be addressed urgently.
Editor: The statistics also show a stark gender disparity in diabetes control—35.1% of young men achieve their target blood sugar levels, compared to only 14.8% of young women. What insights can you share about this discrepancy?
Cha Bong-soo: This gender difference highlights the need for more targeted intervention strategies. Men may be more willing to seek treatment and adhere to health guidelines, while women might experience unique barriers, such as societal expectations regarding body image and health management. We need to create awareness specifically geared towards young women about both the risks of diabetes and the importance of treatment and lifestyle changes.
Editor: It’s clear that addressing diabetes among young people requires more than just individual awareness; it calls for systemic changes as well. What initiatives are being planned to combat this issue further?
Cha Bong-soo: We are actively working with the Korean Medical Biotechnology Association on organizing a symposium in December. This event aims to bring together healthcare providers, educators, and researchers to discuss strategies for improving diabetes awareness and management among young people, and to share best practices. Public health campaigns are also critical in disseminating information effectively and engaging young adults to take early preventive measures.
Editor: That sounds like a promising step forward. As we wrap up, what message would you like to convey to young people regarding their health and the importance of diabetes awareness?
Cha Bong-soo: I urge young people not to underestimate their health status just because they are young. Diabetes can develop silently and with serious consequences. It’s essential to stay informed, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and regularly check in with healthcare providers. Early detection and intervention can significantly improve outcomes. Awareness is key, and we need collective efforts to educate and empower our youth about managing their health effectively.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Cha, for your insights and for shedding light on this critical health issue. We hope to see a positive shift in awareness and treatment rates among the younger population in the near future.
Cha Bong-soo: Thank you for having me. Together, we can make a difference.