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What is

Diabetes?

Diabetes means that your blood sugar,

or glucose (GLOO-kos), is too high.

Glucose comes from the food you 

eat and is also made in your liver 

and muscles.

Your blood always has some glucose 

in it because your body needs glucose

for energy. But too much glucose in 

the blood isn’t good for your health.

An organ called the pancreas 

(PAN-kree-as) controls the amount 

of glucose in the blood. The pancreas

makes insulin (IN-suh-lin) which 

helps glucose get from food into your

cells. Cells take the glucose and 

make it into energy you need for life.

In a person with diabetes, the pancreas

makes little or no insulin or the cells 

don’t use insulin very well. So glucose

builds up in the blood and can’t get

into your cells. Your blood glucose gets

too high and diabetes can then damage

your body.

What types of diabetes 

do kids get? 

In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas stops

making insulin. With type 1 diabetes,

you need to get insulin from a shot or a

pump. Type 1 used to be called “insulin

dependent” or “juvenile diabetes.” n

In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas still

makes some insulin but the cells can’t 

use it very well. Type 2 used to be called

“adult onset diabetes” but now more 

kids are getting type 2.

How do you manage 

diabetes?

The key to taking care of diabetes is 

to keep your blood glucose as close 

to normal as possible. The best way is 

to eat healthy foods, get exercise

every day, stay at a healthy weight,

take your medicine, and check 

your blood glucose to see how you are

doing. Kids with type 2 diabetes may 

need to take insulin or pills to help the

body’s supply of insulin work better.

Your doctor will tell you what blood 

glucose level is good for you and will 

teach you how to use a meter 

to check it. Your goal is to 

keep your blood glucose as 

close to this level as you can.

Carbohydrates (CAR-boh-HY-drates)

are a good source of energy for our bodies.

If you eat too many carbs at one time,

your blood glucose may 

go up too high.

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ps

kMany foods contain carbs. Whole grain 

foods, nonfat or low-fat milk, fresh fruits, and

vegetables are better carb choices than white

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bread, whole milk, sweetened fruit drinks, soda

pop, potato chips, sweets, and desserts. Learn to

eat the right amount at meals and snack times

to keep your blood glucose in balance.

Eat small servings of food and be active 

to prevent weight gain and to keep your

blood glucose in a healthy range.

Illness and stress also can make your blood glucose

go up. Things that make your blood glucose go

down are insulin or pills and exercise.

Why do you get type 2 diabetes?

Being overweight increases the risk of getting

type 2 diabetes. Kids who are not active or who

have a family member with diabetes are more

likely to get it. Some racial and ethnic groups

have a greater chance of getting diabetes—

American Indians, African Americans,

Hispanics/Latinos, Asian Americans 

and Pacific Islanders. You do not get 

diabetes from eating too much sugar.

Why do you need to take care 

of your diabetes?

After several years, diabetes can lead to health

problems. Blood vessels get damaged and 

cause heart attacks in young people. Damage 

to organs in your body can cause blindness,

kidney failure, loss of legs or feet, and gum 

problems or loss of teeth.

The good news is that when you take care 

of your diabetes, you can avoid these problems.

How? Eat healthy foods, be active every day,

stay at a healthy weight, take your medicine,

and check your blood glucose. Don’t let diabetes

stop you! You can do all the things 

your friends do and live a long 

and healthy life.

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To learn more 

about diabetes

American Diabetes Association

1-800-DIABETES (342-2383)

www.diabetes.org/wizdom

Juvenile Diabetes Research

Foundation International

1-800-223-1138 • www.jdrf.org

National Diabetes Education Program

1-888-693-NDEP (6337)

www.YourDiabetesInfo.org

National Diabetes Information

Clearinghouse

1-800-860-8747 • http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov

To find a diabetes educator near you:

American Association of Diabetes

Educators

1-800-338-DMED (3633)

www.diabeteseducator.org

To find a dietitian near you:

American Dietetic Association

1-800-877-1600 • www.eatright.org

Special thanks to the kids who helped us 

make this tip sheet.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Diabetes

Education Program (NDEP) is jointly sponsored by the National Institutes

of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

with the support of more than 200 partner organizations.

Revised August 2010 NIH Publication No. 07-5295 NDEPI-4