Child diabetes rife in Africa

Type 2 diabetes, a disease traditionally associated with adults, is becoming more and more common amongst children in Africa . A recent report by the International Journal of Paediatric Obesity indicates that some 22 million children under five throughout the world are overweight .
Child obesity is thought to be behind rising levels of type 2 diabetes throughout the developing world, including Africa. World Health Organisation statistics for seven African countries reveal the extent of the problem.
Ghana, Congo, Liberia, Nigeria, Niger, Senegal and Sierra Leone are all beginning to be affected by child type 2 diabetes, as traditional diet and exercise habits are eroded. Poor diet and an indolent lifestyle lead to childhood obesity, which in turn is creating higher incidence of type 2 diabetes .