Living with Diabetes

Healthy Living

According to the CDC, 1 in 3 children born in 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime. The American Diabetes Association is working to reverse this staggering statistic.

There are several factors that increase a person’s risk for type 2 diabetes. Some, like genetics and ethnicity, you can’t change. But you can change others, like physical inactivity or eating high calorie foods with low nutritional value.

Teachers have the attention of their students which creates an opportunity to reach children and help them understand the importance of healthy behaviors to help them prevent overweight/obesity and ultimately prevent type 2 diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association’s School Walk for Diabetes offers schools a way to raise awareness about the seriousness of diabetes and also provides teachers with healthy living lesson plans to use in the classroom.

Healthy Living Lesson Plans

Download elementary and high school lesson plans offered though School Walk for Diabetes. 

Type 1 Diabetes

When there is a child with type 1 diabetes in the classroom, teachers and parents can help classmates understand what type 1 diabetes is and why the student needs to check blood glucose, get insulin shots or needs an extra snack during the day.

Arthur—Type 1 Diabetes Lesson Plan
The American Diabetes Association is proud to have worked with WGBH and the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston to develop a lesson plan to accompany "Desert Island Dish."

We invite you to use this PBS ARTHUR episode and the accompanying lesson plan to introduce diabetes to your child’s elementary classroom.

View the "Desert Island Dish" or download a copy of the Arthur Workbook, at the PBS KIDS GO! Web site.