Diabetes resources for children and parents

Diabetes is an increasingly important issue in children, with over 22,000 people under the age of 17 have diabetes in England.

The most common type of diabetes for children is type 1, accounting for 97 per cent of cases. This is roughly one child for every 700-1000 in the UK.

Type 1, which develops when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin, is more common in children as there has been less time for lifestyle, such as diet and exercise, to cause type 2 diabetes to develop. The number of children living with type 2 diabetes is much fewer, with only 1.5 per cent having the condition – around 1400 children in the UK.

There are numerous resources available for children with diabetes, with many being web-based. Most of these resources come from charities and organisations that use the sites as a means of communicating reassurance to the child and providing education and information.

Here are a few sites that may prove useful:

Diabetes UK
One of the most influential of these sites is the site for diabetes charity Diabetes UK.  It cleverly splits its young person section into three (children, teenagers and young adults) allowing the site to connect with the child at the right level for their age. It provides videos, blogs, games, Q&A, tips and advice (even an interview with Harry Potter’s stunt double). It tailors each section accordingly with the children’s section hosting a bright and colourful backdrop with cartoons at various points, in contrast to the young adult section which appears mature and developed.

ABPI
Another influential site is that run by The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI). It too has different areas within the site for different age groups, but for diabetes, only the one for 14 year olds and 16+ are available. The site offers various activities such as quizzes, as well as information about both diabetes and insulin including details on procedures. The language also changes and becomes more scientific and mature for the older age group, with the site going into more depth on the procedures in order to cater for the more mature audience who may want detailed information.

Diabetes co.uk
The site Diabetes co.uk contains a children’s site and is another of the many sites that discusses type 1 diabetes. It is easy to understand, move around and the bright colours make it extremely engaging for the child. It also engages with the child through certain pages that they can relate to, such as famous people who live with diabetes. One of the best things about the site is its excellent discussion board which is very active and friendly. Everyone wants to help and share what works for them, so for parents with children living with type 1 diabetes, there are many helpful tips available.

TuDiabetes
Another good site is run by TuDiabetes. It has various pages of information, forums and discussion boards, pictures, links to blogs as well as tips. The main area for type 1 contains various sections such as general information, forums, related groups and videos. There is an area for teenagers which acts as a social site containing forums and a comment wall. There is also an area for parents of children with type 1 which contains many discussion boards asking for help and advice, with some really useful replies being given.

JDRF
Another site well worth looking at is the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). It contains news, events and information, as well as hosting a kids’ area. Within this area it separates into three sections, Tinies, Tweens and Teens. Each is catered for its title age group and contains games, information, tip as well as a section to help the parents. It also has stories from other children on how they live with the condition, which would be useful for the child to relate to.

With a total population of 25,000 under 25, with type 1 diabetes, it’s good to know that there are many sites out there to help and support them enjoy life to the full.