Exercise is an essential element of good health for people of any age. Even people with health problems, like diabetes, can benefit from exercise--especially children. Diabetic children don't have an excuse to skip out on exercise or a reason to sit on the sidelines and avoid playing sports and games with their friends. Children with diabetes need to make an extra effort to get exercise, stay active and be healthy.
Significance
Kids with diabetes need to exercise regularly to stay fit and maintain a healthy body weight, as the Nemours Foundation says that being overweight can make diabetes more difficult to manage. Exercise can make the body use insulin more efficiently, which allows for more stable blood glucose levels. Exercise also helps to ward off health problems like heart disease, which the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) says is a common problem for diabetics.
Exercise is also a great way for kids to boost self-confidence and self-esteem during their formative years, says Nemours. Exercise and playing sports can also improve social skills by encouraging kids to meet and play with others, relax and manage their stress levels.
How Much Exercise?
You don't want a child who has never exercised before to start out exercising too vigorously, so the AAFP encourages gradually working your way up to regular exercise. Ideally, according to Nemours, children with diabetes should exercise at least five to six days per week, for about an hour each time. As long as your child monitors his blood glucose levels and feels good, encourage frequent exercise and physical activity throughout the day.
Safe Exercises
Any exercise is good for kids with diabetes, says Nemours. And while team sports and vigorous exercise like tennis, running, soccer or basketball is great for social and physical health, daily activity can be more relaxed. Taking a hike, going for a walk or bike ride through the neighborhood, helping parents do yard work, or playing a fast-paced game of tag with the neighborhood kids can still allow for physical activity--and some much-needed fun.
Monitoring Blood Glucose
Careful blood glucose monitoring is important for kids with diabetes--especially when they start exercising more. Always test your child's blood glucose level before she exercises and when she's finished, says the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP). Take care to not allow blood glucose levels to drop too low. If a child's blood glucose levels are too high or too low before exercising, the AAP suggests waiting until it has stabilized before engaging in physical activity.
Be Prepared
It's a good idea to have your child wear a medical ID bracelet that identifies your child as being diabetic, suggests the NDEP. A child should be able to recognize the warning signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Tell your child to stop exercising if he feels shaky or sweaty, says the AAFP. Your child should always have something to eat or drink on hand that can bring low blood glucose levels back to a healthier level--carry some juice, a snack or glucose tablets in case of low blood glucose, says the NDEP.
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