Many Teens Are Prediabetic

A recent government report stated that nearly 2 millionyouths aged 12 to 19 years have prediabetes. Astudy, reported in Pediatrics (November 7, 2005), usedthe American Diabetes Association criteria that definethe condition, called impaired fasting glucose (IFG), asblood sugar levels of at least 100 mg/dL. Levels above125 mg/dL are considered diabetes.

Of the nationally representative sample, 1 in 14 boysand girls had IFG. In the overweight group, 1 in 6 teenshad the condition. Adolescents with IFG were more likelyto have other symptoms hinting that they may be onthe path to heart problems, such as higher levels of badcholesterol and triglycerides, compared with participantswith normal fasting glucose levels. The findings arebased on data involving 915 adolescents who participatedin a 1999-2000 national health survey.