Final answer:
Diabetes mellitus type 1, also known as juvenile diabetes, is the most common metabolic disease of childhood, characterized by the body's immune system attacking the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most common metabolic disease of childhood is Diabetes mellitus type 1. This type of diabetes is also known as juvenile diabetes due to its onset usually in childhood. It is a chronic autoimmune disorder, characterized by the immune system attacking the insulin-secreting beta cells of the pancreas, leading to an inadequate production of insulin required to regulate blood glucose levels.
While Type 2 diabetes is more common in the general population, particularly adults, Type 1 diabetes is notably more prevalent in children. Increased incidence of Type 2 diabetes in children has been observed recently, likely attributable to rising obesity rates; however, juvenile-onset diabetes mellitus remains predominantly Type 1. It is distinguished from Type 2 diabetes, which typically involves insulin resistance and may present later in life.