National Statistics and Opportunities for Improved Surveillance,
Prevention, and Control

AGE OF ONSET OF DIABETES

The distribution of reported age at diagnosis of diabetes indicates that in a small proportion of people diabetes was diagnosed prior to age 40, and in the majority (68%) after age 40 (GSS 1991) (Figure 3). These results are consistent with the early onset of Type 1 diabetes in a minority and late onset of Type 2 diabetes in the majority of people with diabetes.

The mean age at diagnosis of self-reported diabetes was 47 years.

FIGURE 3
Self-reported age at diagnosis of diabetes, by 10-year
intervals - Canada excluding Territories, 1991

* Estimate has high sampling variability.
Notes: Respondents were aged 15 years and older. n = sample size in age group.
Source: LCDC 1997 - using General Social Survey, 1991.

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