Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity (Mar 2023)
Adolescents with Type 2 Diabetes: Overcoming Barriers to Effective Weight Management
Abstract
Mostafa Salama,1 Bridget K Biggs,2 Ana Creo,1 Rose Prissel,3 Alaa Al Nofal,1 Seema Kumar1 1Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; 2Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; 3Division of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USACorrespondence: Seema Kumar, Email [email protected]: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) among children and adolescents has remarkably increased in the last two decades, particularly among ethnic minorities. Management of T2DM is challenging in the adolescent population due to a constellation of factors, including biological, socioeconomic, cultural, and psychological barriers. Weight reduction is an essential component in management of T2DM as weight loss is associated with improvement in insulin sensitivity and glycemic status. A family centered and culturally appropriate approach offered by a multidisciplinary team is crucial to address the biological, psychosocial, cultural, and financial barriers to weight management in youth with T2DM. Lifestyle interventions and pharmacotherapy have shown modest efficacy in achieving weight reduction in adolescents with T2DM. Bariatric surgery is associated with excellent weight reduction and remission of T2DM in youth. Emerging therapies for weight reduction in youth include digital technologies, newer GLP-1 agonists and endoscopic procedures.Keywords: type 2 diabetes mellitus, adolescents, obesity, weight management, youth
