4.2 Diabetes

Diabetes is a serious condition that is affecting an increasing number of children. Having diabetes means that the body does not produce enough insulin (a chemical messenger) which is necessary to regulate the level of sugar in the body.

This means that the body cannot keep the blood sugar level within the normal limits. Therefore, in some cases, children require an injection of insulin to help keep their blood sugar level within normal limits. The level of sugar in the blood is affected by the amount of sugar or carbohydrate that is eaten. The more sugar that is taken in, the more insulin is required to use up the excess sugar.

Another factor that can impact the balance between sugar and insulin intake, is the amount of physical activity undertaken. Sugar levels in the body can go down when physical activity is taken.

Therefore, in order to keep children with diabetes healthy and well, there needs to be a careful balance between the amount of carbohydrate that is eaten, the amount of insulin that is given and the amount of physical activity that is taken. As with all children, it is important that children with diabetes are encouraged to take part in physical activity.

Watch Video 4 in which Chris Pennell, a professional rugby player who developed type 1 diabetes as a teenager, talks about the importance of physical activity for children with type 1 diabetes.

Download this video clip.Video player: Video 4

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Transcript: Video 4

CHRIS PENNELL:

So I'm a professional rugby player, is that what you mean by that?

[LAUGHTER]

So. I'm type 1 diabetic. And I was diagnosed 11 years ago, just over.

SPEAKER 2:

Here today because Chris is doing the rugby academy for our area.

CHRIS PENNELL:

So the idea behind it is to get local kids with type 1 diabetes playing sport, having fun, making friends that they wouldn't necessarily get the opportunity to make.

SPEAKER 2:

It gets them active. It gets them to know, where the children with type 1 to know that they're not the only ones.

SPEAKER 3:

I wanted to learn how to actually play and stuff.

SPEAKER 4:

And I really wanted to come to meet more friends who are diabetic. And we could talk about our feelings.

CHRIS PENNELL:

So kids that are in the exact same position they're in can share stories, can share advice. They can run off and test their blood and not be worried about being judged.

SPEAKER 5:

When you are having a hard time, you can go and ask them how, what are they doing.

SPEAKER 6:

I've met lots of parents, got excellent recipes as well. So it's just been really a great experience for us.

End transcript: Video 4

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Video 4

It is especially important that practitioners and parents work together to plan how to support children with diabetes to take part in physical activity.