Be active with diabetes
Disclaimer: This fact sheet is for education purposes only.
Please consult with your doctor or other health professional to
make sure this information is right for your child.
What is type 1 diabetes?
Diabetes in children (type 1 diabetes) occurs when the pancreas is not able to make enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone that lets the body use glucose in the blood as energy. The glucose in the blood comes from the food we eat. Diabetes causes the blood glucose levels to rise because of the lack of insulin and the child becomes unwell. The symptoms of diabetes may include excessive thirst, excessive urination, weight loss and dehydration.
A "hypo" or Hypoglycaemia means an episode of low blood glucose levels (BGL) ie. BGL less than or equal to 4.0mmol/l. The child may be sweating, faint, nauseous or dizzy. Immediate action is needed to increase the blood glucose level by eating or drinking carbohydrate food or fluid. Carbohydrate (CHO) food are broken down into glucose and absorbed into the blood stream. CHOs are fuel for the body (like petrol for a car) and are needed for energy.
Why should children with diabetes be active?
Just like other children, children with diabetes should be encouraged to participate in physical activity and sports. Physical activity and exercise will help to improve your child's diabetes management (because insulin works better), keep an ideal weight, feel well and happy and have more energy.
Can physical activity affect blood glucose levels (BGL)?
It is important to note that physical activity can have the following effects on your child's blood glucose levels:
- Physical activity usually lowers the blood glucose level because the muscles use more glucose as energy and exercise makes the body more sensitive to insulin.
- physical activity makes the blood glucose level go up because:
- of the effect of other hormones on the body
- your child is unwell
Physical activity affects children differently. You and your child should get to know their response to different activities.
Before participating in physical activity your child should:
- Measure the blood glucose level to decide how much extra carbohydrate may be needed before the activity.
- Think about the duration of the activity and how active your child will be. Long periods of physical activity may need extra carbohydrates and/or less insulin (your diabetes doctor or diabetes educator can advise you more about this).
- Make sure your child carries a "hypo kit" (eg. juice and biscuits) with them when exercising.
- Make sure they are supervised or being active with someone who could help if they had a hypo.
Foods to eat before being active
Many carbohydrate foods are suitable to eat before being active, to provide extra glucose. They include:
- Juice
- Yoghurt
- Fruit
- Biscuits
- Milk
- Cereal
- Fruit/muesli bar
- Fun-size chocolate bar
Some children may also need to have their insulin adjusted to avoid having a hypo during the activity. You should discuss this with your child's doctor or diabetes team.
Children with diabetes should avoid being active if:
- they are sick
- their blood glucose level is high - above 15mmol/l - and they have ketones in the urine
Treating a hypo
A hypo can occur up to 16 hours after exercise. This can be prevented by extra blood glucose testing, extra carbohydrates and adjusting the insulin.
If a hypo does occur it should be treated immediately with
- 7 jelly beans or
- 3 glucose tablets or
- 125ml popper (100% juice) or
- ½ can soft drink (not diet)
- Chocolate is not recommended as a treatment for a hypo.
This should be followed with some carbohydrate which is slowly digested such as fruit, milk or sandwiches.
- Physical activity will help improve your child's diabetes management.
- Children should eat extra carbohydrate and measure blood glucose levels before being active.
- Children with diabetes should be supervised while being active.
- A hypo can occur after being active.
© The Children's Hospital at Westmead & Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick - 1997-2010.
This document was published on Friday,
28 September 2001.
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