Obesity And Rapid Linear Growth During Childhood Are Risk Factors For Type 1 Diabetes - Brief Article

Nutrition Research Newsletter, Feb, 2001

The incidence of type 1 diabetes among children is on the rise worldwide. Obesity is a well-established risk factor of type 2 diabetes; however, its relationship to type 1 diabetes is less clear. Rapid weight gain during infancy has, however, been associated with an increased risk of type 1 diabetes. Children inflicted with this disease have also been reported to be taller than control children several years before clinical presentation of the disease.

The intent of a recent Finish study was to determine whether obesity, relative weight, and relative height are related to the risk of developing type 1 diabetes later in childhood. In the study, 586 diabetic individuals and 571 matched control individuals served as subjects. All subjects were children under the age of 15. Control subjects were matched for sex and birth date. Neonatal data and sociodemographic data were collected using structured questionnaires. Copies of growth charts and records were obtained from well-baby clinics and school health care units. Data on heights of both parents were also evaluated.

It was discovered that both boys and girls who developed type 1 diabetes were heavier and taller throughout childhood than the matched controls. A 10% unit increment in relative weight was related to a 50-60% increase in risk of developing type 1 diabetes before 3 years of age and a 20-40% increase from 3 to 10 years of age. There was also an increased risk in relation to relative height. A 20-30% increase risk in developing the disease was observed for one standard deviation score increment in relative height. Obesity during childhood after 3 years of age was associated with greater than a twofold risk of developing type 1 diabetes.

From this research it can be concluded that obesity and rapid linear growth are risk factors for developing type 1 diabetes during childhood. This can in part explain the increased prevalence in this disease in children in developed countries where there are higher rates of childhood obesity.

E. Hypponen, S. Virtanen, M. Kenward, et al. Obesity, increased linear growth, and risk of type 1 diabetes in children. Diabetes Care 23:1755-1760 (December 2000) [Correspondence: Elina Hypponen, School of Public Health, FIN-33014, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland. E-mail: elina.hypponen@uta.fi].