Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Quang Nam, head of the endocrinology department at University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City, examines a patient. Photo: University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City
The warning comes as a recent global study published in Frontiers in Endocrinology, a peer-reviewed journal based in Switzerland, found that diabetes among children and adolescents increased by about 94 percent between 1990 and 2021, with the highest prevalence recorded in Oceania.
The most notable increases were observed in East Asia, North Africa, and the Middle East.
In Vietnam, type 2 diabetes is also being increasingly found among young people, including individuals in their early 20s, doctors said.
Health experts attribute the trend to unhealthy lifestyle habits, high-calorie diets, sedentary behavior, and unverified health information circulating on social media, all of which can make blood sugar management more difficult for younger patients.
According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Quang Nam, head of the endocrinology department at University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City, diabetes is broadly divided into two main types.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition that damages the pancreas’ beta cells, preventing the body from producing insulin.
By contrast, type 2 diabetes is associated with insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion.
Dr. Nam said type 2 diabetes was once seen primarily in people over 40.
In recent years, however, the number of cases among those under 40 has increased steadily, with some patients being diagnosed in their early 20s.
He said lifestyle factors are a major driver of the increase.
“Low levels of physical activity combined with high-energy diets contribute to weight gain and rising obesity rates. Over time, this can lead to insulin resistance, metabolic disorders, and eventually diabetes,” he said.
Many young adults initially follow medical advice closely after receiving a diagnosis, including adjusting their diets, exercising more, and taking prescribed medication.
“However, after some time, when their test results improve or they begin feeling better, many become complacent. Some stop taking their medication or discontinue treatment to see whether the disease has gone away,” Dr. Nam said.
He added that social media has created additional challenges for disease management, as many widely shared claims lack scientific evidence but continue to influence patients.
TikTok, in particular, features content promoting extreme diets and purported treatments that claim to cure diabetes.
“These messages can cause patients to misunderstand the nature of the disease, stop treatment, or adopt inappropriate methods. As a result, blood sugar and blood pressure can rise sharply, leading to serious complications,” he said.
Dr. Nam also warned that some people develop malnutrition after prolonged fasting or consuming only water in an effort to detoxify their bodies, emphasizing the importance of providing young people with accurate health information.
Compared with older adults, younger people with type 2 diabetes may face a greater risk of complications because they tend to live with poorly controlled blood sugar for longer periods.
Prolonged high blood sugar can damage the eyes, kidneys, heart, and nervous system.
Poor blood sugar control is often linked to inconsistent adherence to medication, diet, and exercise recommendations, as well as missed follow-up appointments.
Some patients do not return for medical check-ups for one or two years because of work commitments or a lack of awareness of the importance of early and continuous treatment in preventing long-term complications.
Doctors emphasize that lifestyle modification remains the cornerstone of diabetes care.
Young patients are encouraged to exercise regularly and monitor their daily calorie intake.
Although medication plays an important role and is often required long term, it cannot replace a healthy diet and regular physical activity, Nam said.
“Some patients believe that taking medication allows them to eat whatever they want. That is a misconception. Managing diabetes effectively requires a combination of medication, diet, and exercise,” he said.
Another challenge for younger patients is the tendency to eat out frequently and attend social events, which can make it harder to maintain a healthy diet.
Doctors often provide guidance on food selection, portion control, and managing daily calorie intake.
Because lifestyle habits can be difficult to change, patients need step-by-step guidance to understand the benefits of exercise and healthy eating, set realistic goals, and gradually build healthier routines.
Physical activity also plays a critical role in improving metabolism.
Dr. Nam recommended combining aerobic exercise, which increases heart rate, with resistance training to boost energy expenditure and improve the body’s ability to utilize glucose and fat.
In men, well-controlled diabetes generally does not have a significant impact on fertility.
However, long-term high blood sugar levels can increase the risk of nerve and vascular complications, as well as lead to erectile dysfunction, causing difficulties in sexual activity.
