Barbie’s new role: Raising awareness for Type 1 diabetes — what are the risks and realities?

Tackling the stigma, one doll at a time.

That silence around Type 1 diabetes is exactly what advocates and educators hope to change. In a move toward inclusivity and awareness, a new Barbie doll has been released, Barbie with Type 1 diabetes. The goal: To raise awareness about the condition, especially among children, and to normalise conversations around living with diabetes.

So, while dolls like Barbie help spark conversations about Type 1 diabetes, the real impact lies in the personal stories of those affected.

What is it like growing up watching someone struggle with diabetes?

Abu Dhabi-based IT professional Vivek (who prefers not to share his last name for privacy) remembers how diabetes shadowed his childhood through his mother’s long, difficult struggle with the condition. “Her diabetic condition was just stressful to watch. We grew up watching her, suddenly going through sweating episodes, feverish or tired, and wounds that would just not heal.”

The wound on her leg worsened, over time. It showed no sign of healing, to the point that she found it difficult to walk after a while. “There were disturbing conversations about probably amputations with doctors that left her rather depressed too,” remembers Vivek. After a series of complications, compounded over the years, she passed away in 2020. “That’s why, I would always advise to never take diabetes lightly. People have such misconceptions about it, thinking that it’s ‘only about not eating a chocolate’ for a while. But, it’s so much more.”

Vivek’s words echo what many medical professionals stress: Diabetes is a chronic, complex condition, not just a dietary restriction. While managing sugar intake is important, diabetes care involves exercise, stress management, mental health, medication, and ongoing monitoring.

“I feel people downplay it,” Vivek adds. “They don’t want to talk about it, just like my mother didn’t. And that silence becomes part of the problem.”

Though they share a name, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are very different in origin and progression.

As Arvind Gaddameedi, Specialist Endocrinology, Aster Clinic, Al Muteena (Deira)Type 1 diabetes (T1D) explains, Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. In type 1 diabetes, the immune system mistakenly attacks the pancreas, specifically the beta cells that produce insulin. These cells are seen as threats and gradually destroyed. Once too many are lost, the pancreas can no longer produce enough insulin, or any at all, making daily insulin treatment essential for survival.

Insulin is a vital hormone that helps move glucose (sugar) from your blood into your body’s cells, where it’s used for energy. Without enough insulin, glucose stays in the bloodstream, leading to high blood sugar levels, a condition called hyperglycemia, explains Gadameedi. "There is pancreatic failure, as there is no insulin production. Moreover, the excessive blood sugar damages blood vessels and nerves.

 The acute risks? Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA, which is a life-threatening condition where the body breaks down fat for energy, releasing toxic acids (ketones), adds Gadameedi.

If left untreated, high blood glucose can damage organs and tissues over time, increasing the risk of serious diabetes-related complications.

While T1D was once thought to affect only children and T2D only adults, that’s no longer the case. Children are increasingly being diagnosed with T2D, and adults can also develop T1D.

Early symptoms of diabetes

·         Frequent urination

·         Excessive thirst

·         Constant hunger, even after eating

·         Unusual fatigue or tiredness

·         Blurred vision

·         Slow-healing cuts or bruises

·         Unexplained weight loss despite eating more

At its core, diabetes is a condition related to how the body handles insulin. If the hormone isn’t produced or used effectively, glucose builds up in the blood, leading to high blood sugar. Over time, unmanaged or fluctuating blood sugar levels can lead to serious complications, including heart disease, nerve damage, vision problems, and more. “Type 1 diabetes most often occurs in children but can occur at any age,” explains Dr. Yasmin Ajaz, Consultant Endocrinologist at Medcare Hospital Al Safa. “Anyone with a parent or sibling with Type 1 diabetes has a slightly increased risk. It’s a multifactorial autoimmune disease with a strong genetic component, and although environmental factors play a role, genetics are a significant driver of the condition.”

Type 2 diabetes, meanwhile, is more closely tied to lifestyle and metabolic health. Risk factors include:

Prediabetes, or slightly elevated blood sugar levels

·         Excess weight or obesity

·         Excess of belly fat

·         physical inactivity (sedentary life)

·         history of gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy)

·         family history of type 2 diabetes

·         polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Celebrities like Nick Jonas have explained how they struggle with the condition, by sharing his experience. In an Instagram post, he recalled how he was diagnosed with diabetes type 1 at the age of 13. “It felt like someone was shutting the door on my dreams,” he said.

The condition didn’t just affect his physical health; it would be a blow to his mental health too. “There were several days after our daughter was home where I had low blood sugar. On the other hand, she needed a bottle or my attention for something, and it was a very new thing to experience,” he had once told AOL. Nevertheless, he keeps track of his sugar numbers via an app

He still finds it a challenge to manage his glucose levels, as he goes on his musical tours, but as he says, he works on keeping himself active. As he told Men’s Health: He doesn’t let it limit him, as being fit and active has always been a part of his life. So, after losing weight dramatically in three weeks after his diagnosis, he worked on building his body again through weight-training, cardio.

Another widespread myth is that there’s a strict “diabetes diet.” In truth, healthy eating with diabetes means focusing on whole, nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and managing carbohydrate intake.

As one case-study participant (who wished to remain anonymous) shared: “My doctor told me to stop thinking of it as a restrictive diet. It’s just eating smart—more fibre, fewer processed carbs.”

Here’s when things get a little murky.

There’s a common misconception that coffee can directly help manage or improve Type 1 diabetes. While coffee has been widely studied for its potential benefits in reducing the risk of Type 2 diabetes, the story is quite different for Type 1.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune condition, where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Unlike Type 2, which is largely influenced by lifestyle and insulin resistance, Type 1 isn't something coffee—or any dietary change—can prevent or reverse.

Karima Arroud, Consultant in Functional Medicine and Aesthetics at Wellth, explains that a growing body of research, including large-scale studies and recent reviews, shows regular coffee drinkers may have a 20–30% lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. And it’s not just caffeine—decaf coffee appears to offer similar benefits.

So, what makes coffee potentially helpful for Type 2?

·         It’s rich in plant compounds, particularly chlorogenic acid, a polyphenol that can:

·         Enhance insulin sensitivity

·         Slow sugar absorption in the gut

·         Reduce chronic, low-grade inflammation

·         Support a healthier gut microbiome

·         Improve liver function and fat metabolism

These benefits are tied to black coffee, without added sugar, syrups, or heavy creamers. And overdoing caffeine, especially late in the day, can disrupt sleep and spike stress hormones like cortisol, which may negatively impact overall metabolic health.

In short: While coffee may support general metabolic function, it’s not a treatment for Type 1 diabetes. Individuals with T1D should focus on medically guided insulin therapy and a balanced lifestyle, using coffee in moderation, if at all, as part of their routine.

As Dr Gaddameedi explains, the treatment for Type 1 is a lifelong process.

Insulin therapy: Non-negotiable
Insulin is essential for survival and is delivered in two primary ways:

Glucose monitoring
Keeping track of blood sugar levels is critical for effective management:

Technology integration

Always consult your doctor or diabetes care team to determine the treatment plan that’s right for you. Management of Type 1 Diabetes is highly individual and should be tailored to your specific needs.

Diabetes isn’t always visible, but its toll can be lifelong. The key lies in awareness, early detection, and daily management. And perhaps, more importantly, in opening up conversations around it.

As Vivek puts it best, “It’s so much more than skipping a chocolate.”