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at a healthy weight, take

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Learn about 

diabetes 

and how to 

manage it.

What is Diabetes?

Tips for Teens with Diabetes

Check out more about diabetes ➺

National Diabetes Education Program
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. Your

blood always has some glucose in it because your body needs glucose for

energy. But having too much glucose in your blood is not healthy.

An organ called the pancreas (PAN-kree-as) makes insulin (IN-suh-lin).

Insulin helps glucose get from your blood into your cells. Cells take the glucose and turn it into energy.

If you have diabetes, the pancreas makes little or no insulin or your cells cannot use insulin very well.

Glucose builds up in your blood and cannot get into your cells. If your blood glucose stays too high, 

it can damage many parts of the body such as the heart, eyes, kidneys, and nerves.

Are there different types 

of diabetes? 

Yes. There are three main types of diabetes.

In type 1 diabetes, the cells in the pancreas that

make insulin are destroyed. If you have type 1 diabetes,

you need to get insulin from shots or a pump everyday.

Most teens can learn to adjust the amount of insulin

they take according to their physical activity and eating

patterns. This makes it easier to manage your diabetes

when you have a busy schedule. Type 1 used to be

called “insulin dependent” or “juvenile” diabetes.

In type 2 diabetes, the 

pancreas still makes some insulin

but cells cannot use it very well. 

If you have type 2 diabetes, you

may need to take insulin or pills 

to help your body’s supply of

insulin work better. Type 2 used to

be called “adult onset diabetes.”

Now more teens are getting type 2, especially if they

are overweight. 

Gestational (jes-TAY-shon-al) diabetes

is a type of diabetes that occurs when women are 

pregnant. Having it raises their risk for getting 

diabetes, mostly type 2, for the rest of their lives. It

also raises their child’s risk for being overweight and 

for getting type 2 diabetes. 

Take Care of Your Diabetes!

be

active

Why do teens get 

diabetes?

Both genes and things like viruses and toxins

may cause a person to get type 1 diabetes.

Studies are being done to identify the causes of

type 1 diabetes and to stop the process that

destroys the pancreas. Researchers can now

predict who is at risk for developing type 1

diabetes and in the future may be able to 

prevent or delay the onset of the disease. 

Being overweight increases the risk for 

type 2 diabetes. Teens who make unhealthy

food choices, are not physically active, or who

have a family member with 

diabetes are

more likely

to get type

2 diabetes.

Some racial

groups have

a greater

chance of

getting 

diabetes—

American Indians, Alaska Natives, African

Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Asian Americans,

and Pacific Islanders. It is not true that eating

too much sugar causes diabetes.
Why do I need to take 

care of my diabetes?

If you take care of your diabetes you can lower your

risk for other health problems. High blood glucose

can harm blood vessels and cause heart attacks or

strokes. It can also damage organs in the body and

cause blindness, kidney failure, loss of toes or feet,

gum problems, or loss of teeth.

The good news is

that when you

take care of your

diabetes, you can

reduce or avoid

these problems. 

Do not let

diabetes stop

you! You can do

all the things

your friends do

and live a long

and healthy life.

➺ www.YourDiabetesInfo.org

What do I need to do to 

take care of my diabetes?

The key to taking care of your diabetes is to keep

your blood glucose as close to normal as possible.

The best way to do this is to: 

• make healthy food

choices

• eat the right 

amounts of food

• be active everyday

• stay at a healthy

weight

• take your medicines

and check your blood

glucose as planned

with your health 

care team 

Your doctor will tell you

what blood glucose level is right for you. Your goal

is to keep your blood glucose as close to this level

as you can. Your doctor or diabetes educator will

teach you how to check your blood glucose with a

glucose meter. 

It helps to know what affects your blood glucose

level. Food, illness, and stress raise your blood 

glucose. Insulin or pills and being physically active

lower your blood glucose. Talk with your doctor or

diabetes educator about how these things change

your blood glucose levels and how you can make

changes in your diabetes plan.

Carbohydrates (CAR-boh-HY-drates), or carbs for

short, are a good source of energy for our bodies.

But if you eat too many carbs at one time,

your blood glucose can get too high. Many

foods contain carbs. Great carb choices include

whole grain foods, nonfat or low-fat milk, and fresh

fruits and vegetables. Eat more of them rather than

white bread, whole milk, sweetened fruit drinks,

regular soda, potato chips, sweets, and desserts. 

Whole 

grain foods,

nonfat or low-fat

milk, fresh fruits, 

and vegetables 

are great carb

choices.

The key to taking care of 

your diabetes is to keep your 

blood glucose as close to 

normal as possible.

Do

not let

diabetes 

stop you!
National Diabetes Education Program to get free

copies of other tip sheets for teens 

• Be Active

• Stay at a Healthy Weight

• Make Healthy Food Choices

• Dealing With the Ups and Downs of Diabetes

• Lower Your Risk for Type 2 Diabetes

www.YourDiabetesInfo.org • 1-888-693-NDEP

American Association of Diabetes Educators to

find a diabetes educator near you

www.diabeteseducator.org

1-800-338-DMED (1-800-338-3633) 

American Diabetes Association for help to manage

diabetes

www.diabetes.org/planetD

1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) 

Learn more!

Check out...

American Dietetic Association to find a dietitian 

near you

www.eatright.org • 1-800-366-1655

Bam! Body and Mind website for help to stay healthy

www.bam.gov

Children With Diabetes website for more about kids

and families with diabetes 

www.childrenwithdiabetes.com

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

International for help to manage diabetes

www.jdrf.org • 1-800-223-1138 

National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse for

more about diabetes

www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov • 1-800-860-8747

WIN – Weight-control Information Network for

weight control help 

• Take Charge of Your Health! A Teenager’s Guide to Better

Health 

www.win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/take_charge.htm

1-877-946-4627

Francine Kaufman, M.D., Head, Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and 

Janet Silverstein, M.D., Professor and Chief, Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 

reviewed this material for technical accuracy.

Special thanks to the teens who 

helped create this tip sheet

www.YourDiabetesInfo.org

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Diabetes Education Program is jointly sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and 

the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with the support of more than 200 partner organizations. www.YourDiabetesInfo.org or 1-888-693-NDEP

Revised November 2007 NIH Publication No. 08-5295 NDEP-63