Fact Check: Nearly 1 in 3 U.S. teens have prediabetes, according to CDC data.

Fact Check: "Nearly 1 in 3 U.S. teens have prediabetes, according to CDC data."

What We Know

Recent data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that approximately 32.7% of U.S. adolescents aged 12 to 17 have prediabetes, which translates to about 8.4 million young people in this age group (source-1). This figure represents a significant increase from previous estimates, which suggested that around 1 in 5 adolescents were affected by the condition (source-3). The CDC's findings are based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which collects comprehensive health data from a representative sample of the U.S. population (source-4).

Analysis

The claim that "nearly 1 in 3 U.S. teens have prediabetes" is supported by the CDC's recent report, which is based on updated methodologies and data collection techniques. However, the release of this information has sparked some controversy among experts. Critics have pointed out that the CDC's summary was limited in detail, lacking raw data and a peer-reviewed publication that typically accompanies such significant findings (source-3).

Experts like Steven Kahn, a diabetes researcher, have expressed concerns regarding the transparency of the data and the implications of the new methodology, which reportedly led to a dramatic increase in the prevalence estimate. Kahn noted that while the increase from approximately 28% to 32.7% is not statistically significant, it does reflect a troubling trend in adolescent health (source-4).

Despite these concerns, the CDC maintains that the updated methodology reflects the latest scientific advancements and is crucial for understanding the growing issue of prediabetes among youth (source-4). The agency's data is generally considered reliable, as it is derived from a well-established survey that has been a cornerstone of public health research in the U.S.

Conclusion

The claim that "nearly 1 in 3 U.S. teens have prediabetes" is True based on the latest CDC data, which estimates that 32.7% of adolescents aged 12 to 17 are affected. While there are valid concerns regarding the methodology and transparency of the data release, the overall findings align with the reported statistics. The increase in prevalence underscores a significant public health issue that warrants attention and further investigation.

Fact Check: Nearly 1 in 3 U.S. teens have prediabetes, according to CDC data.