Boys who enter puberty later than average are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes as adults, a new study shows.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes that occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or fails to use it effectively. Although it was traditionally associated with adults, teenagers and young adults are increasingly receiving the diagnosis.
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The research, presented at the Joint Congress of the European Society of Paediatric Endocrinology and the European Society of Endocrinology, analysed data from over 9.6 lakh Israeli adolescent boys aged 16–19. Among these, 4,307 were diagnosed with delayed puberty. After accounting for body weight, a major known risk factor, the risk remained 37% higher in boys who had experienced delayed puberty.
In addition, the researchers found that, among teens with delayed puberty, about 140 per 100,000 developed type 2 diabetes each year. The study also found that the incidence of type 2 diabetes was significantly higher among teens with delayed puberty — around 140 per 100,000 each year, compared to just 41 per 100,000 among those who experienced puberty on time
“Our results are surprising, as delayed puberty is generally considered a benign condition,” said lead author Professor Orit Pinhas-Hamiel. “Our research results contribute to a better understanding of how pubertal timing may influence long-term metabolic health and suggest a need for medical follow-up to enable early diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Recognising delayed puberty in males as an early-life marker for increased risk of type 2 diabetes may help identify vulnerable individuals, allowing for targeted prevention strategies,” he added.
