The Progression of Prediabetes to Type 2 Diabetes in Children and Adolescents in the United States: Current Challenges and Solutions

Prediabetes, the precursor of type 2 diabetes (T2D), is on the rise among children and adolescents in the United States. The natural history of prediabetes is poorly characterized in children compared to adults. The available data indicate a phenotype of an accelerated β-cell failure in youth with p...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Benjamin Udoka Nwosu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-09-01
Series:Endocrines
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-396X/3/3/45
_version_ 1797488985103138816
author Benjamin Udoka Nwosu
author_facet Benjamin Udoka Nwosu
author_sort Benjamin Udoka Nwosu
collection DOAJ
description Prediabetes, the precursor of type 2 diabetes (T2D), is on the rise among children and adolescents in the United States. The natural history of prediabetes is poorly characterized in children compared to adults. The available data indicate a phenotype of an accelerated β-cell failure in youth with prediabetes. Data from randomized controlled trials showed no benefit on β-cell preservation or A1c in youth with prediabetes from therapeutic agents such as metformin and insulin. As a result, the American Diabetes Association recommends only lifestyle intervention, but not therapeutic agents, for the management of prediabetes in children and adolescents. These recommendations for lifestyle modification in youth, largely derived from data in adults, lack the precision necessary for efficacy in youth. However, a recent 4-year real-world study on youth reported that adherence to nutrition visits was associated with a 4-fold reduction in the likelihood of progressing from prediabetes to T2D. The finding that this reversal is associated with reduced insulin resistance (IR) and not with decreased body weight is novel and provides the foundation for trialing investigational products that may protect β-cells and reduce IR and/or body weight. This study provides the much-needed foundation for further exploration of the impact of lifestyle modification in conjunction with other approaches for the reversal of prediabetes in youth. The systematization of the protocol for medical nutrition therapy for the reversal of prediabetes in youth will ensure optimal and consistent results from adherent patients. This communication provides updates on the pathobiology of prediabetes in youth and a clear direction for efficacious studies in the field.
first_indexed 2024-03-10T00:10:03Z
format Article
id doaj.art-5ee7c4d6f8874a9a8d73e338aad64842
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2673-396X
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-10T00:10:03Z
publishDate 2022-09-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Endocrines
spelling doaj.art-5ee7c4d6f8874a9a8d73e338aad648422023-11-23T16:00:37ZengMDPI AGEndocrines2673-396X2022-09-013354555110.3390/endocrines3030045The Progression of Prediabetes to Type 2 Diabetes in Children and Adolescents in the United States: Current Challenges and SolutionsBenjamin Udoka Nwosu0Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY 11549, USAPrediabetes, the precursor of type 2 diabetes (T2D), is on the rise among children and adolescents in the United States. The natural history of prediabetes is poorly characterized in children compared to adults. The available data indicate a phenotype of an accelerated β-cell failure in youth with prediabetes. Data from randomized controlled trials showed no benefit on β-cell preservation or A1c in youth with prediabetes from therapeutic agents such as metformin and insulin. As a result, the American Diabetes Association recommends only lifestyle intervention, but not therapeutic agents, for the management of prediabetes in children and adolescents. These recommendations for lifestyle modification in youth, largely derived from data in adults, lack the precision necessary for efficacy in youth. However, a recent 4-year real-world study on youth reported that adherence to nutrition visits was associated with a 4-fold reduction in the likelihood of progressing from prediabetes to T2D. The finding that this reversal is associated with reduced insulin resistance (IR) and not with decreased body weight is novel and provides the foundation for trialing investigational products that may protect β-cells and reduce IR and/or body weight. This study provides the much-needed foundation for further exploration of the impact of lifestyle modification in conjunction with other approaches for the reversal of prediabetes in youth. The systematization of the protocol for medical nutrition therapy for the reversal of prediabetes in youth will ensure optimal and consistent results from adherent patients. This communication provides updates on the pathobiology of prediabetes in youth and a clear direction for efficacious studies in the field.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-396X/3/3/45prediabetestype 2 diabetesinsulin resistancebody weight
spellingShingle Benjamin Udoka Nwosu
The Progression of Prediabetes to Type 2 Diabetes in Children and Adolescents in the United States: Current Challenges and Solutions
Endocrines
prediabetes
type 2 diabetes
insulin resistance
body weight
title The Progression of Prediabetes to Type 2 Diabetes in Children and Adolescents in the United States: Current Challenges and Solutions
title_full The Progression of Prediabetes to Type 2 Diabetes in Children and Adolescents in the United States: Current Challenges and Solutions
title_fullStr The Progression of Prediabetes to Type 2 Diabetes in Children and Adolescents in the United States: Current Challenges and Solutions
title_full_unstemmed The Progression of Prediabetes to Type 2 Diabetes in Children and Adolescents in the United States: Current Challenges and Solutions
title_short The Progression of Prediabetes to Type 2 Diabetes in Children and Adolescents in the United States: Current Challenges and Solutions
title_sort progression of prediabetes to type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents in the united states current challenges and solutions
topic prediabetes
type 2 diabetes
insulin resistance
body weight
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-396X/3/3/45
work_keys_str_mv AT benjaminudokanwosu theprogressionofprediabetestotype2diabetesinchildrenandadolescentsintheunitedstatescurrentchallengesandsolutions
AT benjaminudokanwosu progressionofprediabetestotype2diabetesinchildrenandadolescentsintheunitedstatescurrentchallengesandsolutions