The 24-hour average concentration of cortisol is elevated in obese African-American youth with type 2 diabetes

•Pathogenic factors that trigger type 2 diabetes (T2D) and metabolic complications are poorly understood.•24-hour-average plasma cortisol is higher in obese youth with T2D and may play a role in its pathogenesis and complications.•Despite higher cortisol, the cortisol/cortisone ratio was similar in obese youth with and without T2D.