Teens and Diabetes
About 215,000 young people under 20 years of age have diabetes. Most of them have type 1 diabetes. As obesity rates in children continue to soar, type 2 diabetes, a disease that used to be seen primarily in adults over age 45, is becoming more common in young people. Children with diabetes and their families face unique challenges when dealing with diabetes.
Learn how to lower the risk for getting type 2 diabetes and learn more about type 1 and type 2 diabetes in young people, including how to manage the disease for health and well-being.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes means that your blood glucose (GLOO-kos), also called blood sugar, is too high. Glucose comes from the food you eat and is needed to fuel our bodies. Glucose is also stored in our liver and muscles.
Be Active
Physical activity is good for everyone. Being active is really important if you have diabetes. Check out these ideas on how to be more active.
Stay at a Healthy Weight
Staying at a healthy weight is good for everyone. It is really important if you have diabetes. Set goals to reach and stay at a healthy weight.
Make Healthy Food Choices
Learn more about food and how to make healthy food choices if you have diabetes.
Dealing with the Ups and Downs of Diabetes
Feel good about yourself. Get help to deal with the ups and downs of diabetes. Seek support from other teens and take action to manage your diabetes – one step at a time.
Lower Your Risk for Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes means that blood glucose (GLOO-kos), also called blood sugar, is too high. Glucose comes from the food we eat and is needed to fuel our bodies.
Quiz for Teens with Diabetes
This interactive quiz asks teens with diabetes to think about the everyday steps that are vital to managing diabetes and how busy teens can make them part of their daily routine. The quiz is also a great learning tool for teens with friends or family members who have diabetes and is based on the Tips for Teens with Diabetes tip sheet series.
Transitions From Pediatric to Adult Health Care
Transitioning to adulthood can be stressful for teens with diabetes and their families. Teens and young adults need to assume more responsibility for diabetes self-management and make more independent judgments about their health care needs. To aid this process, NDEP has assembled materials and resources to make the transition to adult health care a smooth one.
Publications
Tips for Teens with Diabetes: What is Diabetes?
(NDEP-63)
This tip sheet provides useful information about diabetes and encourages teens to take action to manage their disease for a long and healthy life.
Tips for Teens with Diabetes: Make Healthy Food Choices
(NDEP-66)
This tip sheet for teens provides useful information about diabetes and encourages teens to take action to manage their disease for a long and healthy life.
Tips for Teens with Diabetes: Be Active
(NDEP-64)
This tip sheet provides useful information about diabetes and encourages teens to take action to manage their disease for a long and healthy life.
Resources
Resources for Diabetes in Children and Adolescents
This directory lists government agencies, professional organizations, and voluntary associations that provide information and resources related to diabetes in children and adolescents.
When Your Child Is Diagnosed with DIABETES: Parents’ Questions for the Health Care Team
A list of questions to ask the doctor when your child is diagnosed with diabetes.
Overview of Diabetes in Children and Adolescents
Fact sheet about diabetes and youth in the United States.
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