What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that affects how the body uses glucose, the main type of sugar in the blood. Glucose, which comes from the foods we eat, is the major source of energy needed to fuel the body. To use glucose, the body needs the hormone insulin. But in people with diabetes, the body either can't make insulin or the insulin doesn't work in the body like it should.

The two major types of diabetes are:

  1. Type 1 diabetes, in which the immune system attacks the pancreas and destroys the cells that make insulin.
  2. Type 2 diabetes, in which the pancreas can still make insulin, but the body doesn't respond to it properly.

In both types of diabetes, glucose can't get into the cells normally. This causes a rise in blood sugar levels, which can make someone sick if not treated.

Can Type 1 Diabetes Be Prevented?

Type 1 diabetes can't be prevented. Doctors can't even tell who will get it and who won't.

No one knows for sure what causes type 1 diabetes, but scientists think it has something to do with genes. But just getting the genes for diabetes isn't usually enough. In most cases, a child has to be exposed to something else — like a virus — to get type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes isn't contagious, so kids and teens can't catch it from another person or pass it along to friends or family members. And eating too much sugar doesn't cause type 1 diabetes, either.

There's no reliable way to predict who will get type 1 diabetes, but blood tests can find early signs of it. These tests aren't done routinely, however, because doctors don't have any way to stop a child from developing the disease, even if the tests are positive.

Can Type 2 Diabetes Be Prevented?

Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes can sometimes be prevented. Excessive weight gain, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle are all things that put a person at risk for type 2 diabetes.

In the past, type 2 diabetes usually happened only in adults. But now, more kids and teens are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, due to the rapidly increasing number of overweight kids.

Although kids and teens might be able to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes by managing their weight and increasing physical activity, other risk factors for type 2 diabetes can't be changed. Kids with one or more family members with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk for the disease, and some ethnic and racial groups are more likely to developing it.

How Can I Protect My Kids From Developing Type 2 Diabetes?

These steps can help reduce your kids' risk for developing type 2 diabetes and the health problems it can cause:

  • Make sure kids eat a healthy diet. Encouraging your kids to eat low-fat, nutrient-rich foods — like whole-grain cereals and breads, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and lean proteins — can help prevent excessive weight gain, a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
  • Limit sugary foods and beverages. Consuming lots of sugar-filled foods and beverages — like sodas, juices, and iced teas — can lead to excessive weight gain.
  • Encourage lots of physical activity. Staying active and limiting the time spent in sedentary activities — like watching TV, being online, or playing video or computer games — can help reduce the risk of weight gain and help prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. Being active can be as simple as walking the dog or mowing the lawn. Try to do something that gets you and your kids moving every day.

If you think your child may be overweight and at risk for type 2 diabetes, talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian. They can help you learn what your child's weight goals should be and how to reach them.

Back to Articles

Related Articles

Diabetes Center

Our Diabetes Center provides information and advice for teens about treating and living with diabetes.

Read More

Diabetes Center

Does your child have type 1 or type 2 diabetes? Learn how to manage the disease and keep your child healthy.

Read More

Overweight and Obesity

Preventing kids from becoming overweight means making choices in the way your family eats and exercises, and how you spend time together.

Read More

Can Diabetes Be Prevented?

The things you do now could help prevent diabetes later, depending on the type of diabetes. Here's the scoop on diabetes prevention.

Read More

Can Diabetes Be Prevented?

Diabetes is a health problem that affects kids of all ages, but you can't catch it like a cold. In some cases, diabetes can be prevented. Find out how.

Read More

Other Diseases That Are More Common in People With Type 1 Diabetes

Kids and teens with type 1 diabetes have a greater risk for thyroid disease, celiac disease, and Addison's disease. Learn more about these autoimmune disorders.

Read More

Weight and Diabetes

A balanced diet and an active lifestyle are important for kids with diabetes because weight can influence diabetes, and diabetes can influence weight.

Read More

Weight and Diabetes

Weight can influence diabetes, and diabetes can influence weight. Managing weight can really make a difference in a person's diabetes management plan.

Read More

Weight and Diabetes

Being at a healthy weight is a good idea for everyone, but it's even more important for kids with diabetes.

Read More

Meal Plans and Diabetes

People with diabetes don't need to be on strict diets, but do need to pay attention to what they eat and when. Crack open the cookbooks and surf to your favorite recipe website because it's time to plan meals that you love!

Read More

Medicines for Diabetes

For most kids with diabetes, taking medicine is an important part of staying healthy. Find out more in this article for kids.

Read More

Diabetes Control: Why It's Important

People who have diabetes may hear or read a lot about controlling, or managing, the condition. But what is diabetes control and why is it so important?

Read More

Talking to Your Child About Diabetes

Learn all you can about diabetes so you'll be better prepared to talk about it with your child.

Read More

Type 2 Diabetes: What Is It?

Diabetes is a disease that affects how the body uses glucose, a sugar that is the body's main source of fuel. Find out more about a kind of diabetes called type 2 diabetes in this article for kids.

Read More

Type 2 Diabetes: What Is It?

Teens with type 2 diabetes have to pay close attention to what they eat and do.

Read More

Type 2 Diabetes: What Is It?

Learning what you can about type 2 diabetes will let you help your child manage and live with the disease. Here are the basics.

Read More

Type 1 Diabetes: What Is It?

Diabetes is a disease that affects how the body uses glucose, a sugar that is the body's main source of fuel. In type 1 diabetes, glucose can't get into the body's cells where it's needed.

Read More

Type 1 Diabetes: What Is It?

Every year in the United States, 13,000 children are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. With some practical knowledge, you can become your child's most important ally in learning to live with the disease.

Read More

Type 1 Diabetes: What Is It?

Thousands of kids all over the world have type 1 diabetes, a disease that affects how the body uses glucose.

Read More

Diabetes: Dealing With Feelings

It's perfectly normal for people with diabetes to feel sad, angry, confused, upset, alone, embarrassed, and even jealous. After all, these are natural emotions that everyone feels from time to time. But how can you cope?

Read More

Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.