DIABETES cases in under-40s have rocketed by a quarter in just five years.
Figures reveal early onset type 2 diabetes, which used to be rare, is rising as more Brits become overweight and unfit.
Diabetes UK warns the total could hit 200,000 by 2027 out of around five million patients in total.
Charity CEO Chris Askew said: “This trend is incredibly troubling.
“It marks a shift from what we’ve seen historically and should be taken as a serious warning to our NHS.”