Early-onset type 2 diabetes is a growing health concern in China. Type 2 diabetes is a condition that usually becomes more prevalent with age, but recently early-onset type 2 diabetes is becoming more prevalent globally, especially in Asia.
It is likely that poor lifestyle habits are related to the rise in prevalence of this disease. As countries develop, sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy diets contribute to the increase in chronic diseases. Patients with early-onset type 2 diabetes are estimated to lose up to 15 years of their life expectancy. Also, patients with early-onset type 2 diabetes are more at risk to cardiovascular complications than patients with later onset diabetes. More research will need to be conducted on the pattern of type 2 diabetes in younger Chinese patients in order to effective address the prevention and treatment plan for this disease.