P-248: High BMI burden in children at risk for type 2 diabetes: data from a UK observational cohort in north Wales
M A M Osman, K L Faiz, S Saeed, A GangadharanAbstract
Introduction
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) in children and adolescents is an emerging public health challenge in the United Kingdom, largely driven by increasing rates of paediatric obesity. Characterizing the demographic and anthropometric profiles of at-risk populations is essential for early detection and targeted intervention.
Objectives
To describe the demographic characteristics and body mass index (BMI) distribution of children and adolescents referred to a specialist healthy lifestyle clinic.
Methods
Observational cohort of children referred to help me be healthy clinic (Mar 2022–Oct 2025). Demographic and BMI data were collected; BMI SDS calculated. Groups (opt-in vs opt-out) were compared. Continuous variables were analysed using independent samples t-test, and categorical data using chi-square test. Significance was set at p<0.05.
Results
A total of 169 patients were referred, of whom 92 (54.4%) were enrolled and 77 (45.6%) declined participation. The cohort included 90 males (53.3%) and 79 females (46.7%). The overall mean age at referral was 11.77 years (SD 3.81; range 2.51–17.52). The mean BMI was 33.83 kg/m2 (SD 7.33). The majority of patients (n=141; 83.4%) had a BMI between +2 and +3 SDS, while 13 patients (7.7%) had a BMI >+3 SDS. Fourteen patients (8.3%) had BMI between 0 and <+2 SDS, and only one patient had a BMI below the population mean. There was no significant differences between males and females, for age, BMI, or BMI SDS.
Conclusions
Most children referred to the clinic presented with markedly elevated BMI, reinforcing the strong association between obesity and risk of T2D in paediatric populations. These findings highlight the urgent need for early identification and targeted lifestyle interventions to reduce obesity and prevent progression to T2D. Multidisciplinary specialist clinics provide focused care that supports behaviour change, helps prevent T2D, and improves overall health outcomes.