Children with type 1 diabetes happily playing sports in a surreal landscape.

Type 1 Diabetes & Kids: How to Make Exercise Fun & Safe

Jordan Keane in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover practical strategies to help children with type 1 diabetes enjoy physical activity while managing their health effectively."

For children with type 1 diabetes (T1DM), staying active offers a wealth of benefits, from better blood sugar control and improved insulin sensitivity to a healthier heart and enhanced quality of life. Yet, studies show that many kids with T1DM don't get enough exercise. The challenge lies in safely integrating physical activity into their daily routine, addressing concerns like exercise-induced hypoglycemia and ensuring they receive the right support and education.

A recent study called 'Steps to Active Kids with Diabetes' (STAK-D) looked at how to make exercise more accessible and enjoyable for children with T1DM. The STAK-D program aimed to explore the feasibility and acceptability of a new physical activity intervention and study design, to help bridge the gap between recommended activity levels and real-world habits.

This article dives into the findings of the STAK-D study and translates them into practical advice for parents and healthcare professionals. We'll explore strategies to encourage physical activity, manage potential risks, and foster a positive attitude towards exercise in children with type 1 diabetes.

Understanding the STAK-D Approach: Key Components

Children with type 1 diabetes happily playing sports in a surreal landscape.

The STAK-D program was designed as a six-week intervention for children aged 9-11 with T1DM and their parents. It was created to work alongside their usual diabetes care. The program's focus was to give education about diabetes, encourage and motivate kids to take initiative and be more physical active with help of the parents.

Here are some of the strategies used during the study, along with some key components of the STAK-D program:

Educational Materials: Providing clear, age-appropriate information about physical activity and T1DM.
Activity Diary & Pedometer: Tracking daily activity levels to promote goal-setting and self-monitoring.
Group Activity Sessions: Fun, supervised exercise sessions to build confidence and social support.
Motivational Interviewing: One-on-one sessions to explore the child's perceptions of physical activity and set personalized goals.
Parental Involvement: Educating parents on how to support their child's physical activity safely.

The STAK-D program's framework was built upon Social Cognitive Theory, emphasizing the importance of self-belief, social support, and achievable goals. Each component was designed to boost the children's confidence in their ability to be physically active.

Moving Forward: Key Takeaways and Recommendations

The STAK-D study provides valuable insights into creating effective physical activity interventions for children with T1DM. While the program showed promise, the study also highlighted areas for improvement, such as recruitment strategies, session attendance, and tailoring information to individual needs. By focusing on these areas, future interventions can better empower children with T1DM to lead active, healthy lives. By following recommendations and taking ideas from the STAK-D study everyone can have a more active lifestyle.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1186/s12887-018-1036-8, Alternate LINK

Title: A Physical Activity Intervention For Children With Type 1 Diabetes- Steps To Active Kids With Diabetes (Stak-D): A Feasibility Study

Subject: Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health

Journal: BMC Pediatrics

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Helen Quirk, Cris Glazebrook, Holly Blake

Published: 2018-02-07

Everything You Need To Know

What are the primary benefits of physical activity for children managing type 1 diabetes (T1DM)?

For children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM), engaging in physical activity offers several benefits including improved blood sugar control, increased insulin sensitivity, a healthier cardiovascular system, and an overall enhanced quality of life. These advantages make regular exercise a crucial component in the comprehensive management of T1DM in children. However, it's important to carefully integrate physical activity into their daily routine, watching out for potential challenges like exercise-induced hypoglycemia.

What was the main goal of the 'Steps to Active Kids with Diabetes' (STAK-D) study?

The 'Steps to Active Kids with Diabetes' (STAK-D) study aimed to determine the feasibility and acceptability of a new physical activity intervention designed to encourage children with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) to meet recommended activity levels. The STAK-D program also tested a specific study design to help bridge the gap between recommended activity levels and real-world habits, ultimately making exercise more accessible and enjoyable for kids with T1DM.

Can you describe the key components of the 'Steps to Active Kids with Diabetes' (STAK-D) program?

The 'Steps to Active Kids with Diabetes' (STAK-D) program involves several key components: educational materials to provide clear, age-appropriate information about physical activity and type 1 diabetes (T1DM); an activity diary and pedometer for tracking daily activity levels and promoting goal-setting; group activity sessions for supervised exercise and social support; motivational interviewing to explore the child's perceptions of physical activity and set personalized goals; and parental involvement to educate parents on safely supporting their child's physical activity.

How did the 'Steps to Active Kids with Diabetes' (STAK-D) program use Social Cognitive Theory to enhance physical activity among children with type 1 diabetes?

The 'Steps to Active Kids with Diabetes' (STAK-D) program used Social Cognitive Theory by emphasizing self-belief (self-efficacy), social support, and achievable goals. Each component of the program was specifically designed to boost children's confidence in their ability to be physically active. By fostering a sense of self-efficacy and providing a supportive environment, the STAK-D program aimed to motivate and empower children with type 1 diabetes to engage in regular physical activity.

What were some of the areas for improvement identified in the 'Steps to Active Kids with Diabetes' (STAK-D) study, and how might these be addressed in future interventions?

The 'Steps to Active Kids with Diabetes' (STAK-D) study highlighted areas for improvement such as recruitment strategies, session attendance, and the need for more tailored information. Future interventions might address recruitment by using broader outreach methods or leveraging community partnerships. Session attendance could be improved by offering more flexible scheduling options, making the sessions more engaging, or providing transportation assistance. To tailor information, interventions could incorporate individualized assessments and personalized activity plans, ensuring that the advice and support provided are relevant and effective for each child's specific needs and circumstances. This would help empower children with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) to lead active, healthy lives.