Type 2 diabetes is a family affair

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Type 2 diabetes mellitus has become an increasing concern for adolescents. As the prevalence and the severity of obesity have increased in this age group, so has the prevalence of type 2 diabetes. However, most obese adolescents do not develop diabetes. What are the risk factors that would raise concerns? In this issue of the Journal, Magge et al evaluated overweight siblings of children with type 2 diabetes. These siblings had a four-fold increased risk of having abnormal glucose tolerance compared with other overweight children. This increased risk may reflect both shared environment and shared genetic background and suggests that overweight siblings of children with type 2 diabetes should draw close to clinical scrutiny.