Safety and Wellness

Weight and Diabetes

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When kids with diabetes are at a healthy weight, they may have fewer diabetes symptoms and problems. This is true for all people with diabetes — whether they have type 1 or type 2.

Diabetes and Your Weight

What Happens in Diabetes?

Being overweight is directly related to type 2 diabetes. Most people are overweight when they first find out they have it. The extra weight can make it harder for their bodies to use sugar, or glucose (say: GLOO-kose), the way it should.

That's why people who have type 2 diabetes will be encouraged to get to a healthy weight by eating right and getting regular exercise. Exercise not only burns calories, but it can also help the body use insulin (say: IN-suh-lin) better. This makes it easier to keep blood sugar levels on track.



Though weight loss is the more typical problem before diagnosis, it's also possible a kid with type 1 diabetes might be overweight. If so, it can make it hard for the kid to keep his or her blood sugar levels under control.

Are You at a Healthy Weight?

Doctors use your weight and height to calculate your body mass index (BMI). The BMI is a number that helps doctors judge whether your weight is healthy.



Your diabetes meal plan already helps you know what to eat, so you may just need to eat a little less and be more active. You don't have to run on a treadmill — you can just do more fun stuff outside, like ride your bike and play outside with your friends.



Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: August 2013

Kids Health

