The growing number of young Kiwis with diabetes could drain our health system

A shocking new report's found Type Two diabetes could cost us 3.5 billion dollars a year by 2040, up from the current cost of 2.1 billion.

It's also highlighted a trend in diabetes emerging at younger ages.

Otago University researcher Rachael Taylor says unless we act now, the long term impacts will be enormous.

She says someone starting at age 25 costs about 600-thousand dollars over their lifetime, whereas if they don't develop it until age 65, it only costs about 50-thousand.