Paediatric expert warns of alarming rise in Type 2 diabetes among Malaysian children, with cases now appearing in eight-year-olds due to obesity.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysian children are now being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes as young as eight years old, a shift paediatric specialists describe as unprecedented and deeply alarming.
KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital 2 Head of Paediatrics and Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist Assoc Prof Dr Rashdan Zaki Mohamed said the trend has become increasingly evident in recent years, driven largely by childhood obesity and lifestyle changes.
“We are seeing more new Type 2 diabetes cases among children, and in some instances, the patients are only eight to 10 years old,” he said.
“Previously, it was mostly teenagers. This shift is extremely worrying.”
Rashdan said Type 1 diabetes cases also appear to be increasing, but the pace of early-onset Type 2 diabetes – once exceptionally rare in young children – demands urgent national attention.
He warned that Malaysia is still relying on childhood diabetes data from 2019, which no longer reflects the reality clinicians are observing daily.
“A comprehensive national registry is crucial,” he said.
“Without updated data, we cannot plan effectively, allocate resources properly or understand how the post-pandemic landscape has changed childhood disease patterns.”
He added that early symptoms often go unnoticed, especially outside major cities, where awareness remains limited.
To help parents and even healthcare workers recognise possible diabetes, he uses the “5 Ts” -Toilet (frequent urination), Thinner (sudden weight loss), Thirsty (constant drinking), Tired (easy fatigue) and Test (check blood sugar immediately).
“These simple signs can save lives,” he said.
Although diagnosing diabetes through a finger-prick test is straightforward, distinguishing between Type 1 and Type 2 requires more advanced investigations such as diabetes antibodies and C-peptide tests – tools not consistently available nationwide.
Rashdan urged the Health Ministry to make early detection and better long-term support for children a priority.
He recommended creating a unified national registry accessible to both public and private facilities, and subsidising essential diabetes tools, including insulin and continuous glucose monitors and requiring insurers to provide coverage for Type 1 diabetes.
He also called for stronger policies to combat childhood obesity, including stricter rules for school canteen tenders, banning unhealthy food and drinks in and around school grounds and restricting fast-food advertising near schools.
“Government, healthcare providers, schools, insurers and families – everyone has a role.”
His message to parents was direct, urging them to take a proactive role in safeguarding their children’s health.
“We must work together to prevent childhood obesity, which is driving Type 2 diabetes.
“For Type 1 diabetes, early detection, proper treatment and access to modern technologies are essential for the best outcomes.”
