Diabetes is a condition in which the body cannot use the sugar (carbohydrates) from food that is eaten and the pancreas, which secretes a hormone called insulin, is not working properly.

There are several different types of diabetes:

Type 1, which usually starts in childhood and requires insulin injections.

Type 2 diabetes is increasing in children and can be managed with food, exercise and pills or insulin.

Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and is managed with diet, exercise and pills or insulin.

Nationally approximately 176,500 people aged 20 years or younger have diabetes. This represents 0.22% of all people in this age group.

About one in every 400 to 600 children and adolescents has type 1 diabetes.

Although type 2 diabetes can occur in youth, the nationally representative data that would be needed to monitor diabetes trends in youth by type are not available. Clinically-based reports and regional studies suggest that type 2 diabetes, although still rare, is being diagnosed more frequently in children and adolescents, particularly in American Indians, African Americans, and Hispanic/Latino Americans.(CDC, 2005)

Students’ whose diabetes is well controlled should be able to participate in school, exercise, and sports without restrictions and have good attendance at school.

Together we can facilitate the management of diabetes in school and keep our students safe, healthy and in school learning.