Study of nearly one million Israeli teens reveals a significant, independent risk factor for early-onset diabetes.
A newly published study from Sheba Medical Center has identified a compelling connection between delayed puberty in boys and an increased likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes in early adulthood.
“We believe that the higher risk of type 2 diabetes at a young age in boys with delayed puberty may result from a unique opportunity during development when the body is particularly sensitive to hormones and environmental factors—similar to how early childhood affects language acquisition, or how puberty timing influences bone strength,” said Professor Orit Pinhas-Hamiel, Head of the Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit at Sheba Medical Center, who led the research.
Study Overview: Nearly 1 Million Israeli Boys Tracked
A large-scale research study led by Sheba Medical Center has revealed a significant association between delayed puberty in boys and an elevated risk of developing type 2 diabetes in early adulthood.
Presented at the joint conference of the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) and the European Society of Endocrinology (ESE), the study is the first of its kind to establish this link using long-term, population-level data.
Researchers analyzed records from 964,108 Israeli male adolescents, aged 16 to 19, who were evaluated for military service between 1992 and 2015. Among these individuals, 4,307 were identified as having experienced delayed puberty. Participants were followed through the end of 2019.
Key Findings: Delayed Puberty Increases Diabetes Risk
The results showed that boys who experienced late puberty were 2.5 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than peers who went through puberty at the expected time. Even after controlling for body weight and socioeconomic status, the increased risk remained statistically significant, at 37% higher.
On average, 140 out of every 100,000 boys with delayed puberty developed type 2 diabetes annually, compared to 41 per 100,000 in the comparison group. Most of the diagnoses occurred around the age of 35.
Implications for Public Health Screening and Prevention
This study adds a critical dimension to the understanding of how puberty timing may affect long-term metabolic health. While type 2 diabetes has traditionally been considered a disease of older adults, its rising prevalence among younger populations underscores the need for earlier risk assessment.
Importantly, the research shows that the increased risk is not confined to overweight individuals or those from specific socioeconomic backgrounds, suggesting that delayed puberty itself is an independent factor to consider. These findings could inform future guidelines on adolescent health screening and early prevention strategies.
Multidisciplinary Collaboration for Global Impact
The study was a joint initiative involving Sheba Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Maccabi Healthcare Services, the IDF Medical Corps, the Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, and Israel’s National Center for Disease Control.
By leveraging a nationally representative sample and long-term follow-up, the research exemplifies Sheba’s leadership in population health and evidence-based innovation. It offers actionable insights for endocrinologists, public health policymakers, and global healthcare systems seeking to reduce the burden of type 2 diabetes in younger populations.
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