In a move toward inclusivity and health awareness, Barbie has unveiled its first-ever doll with type 1 diabetes (T1D), in collaboration with Breakthrough T1D, a leading research and advocacy organization.
Dressed in a cheerful blue polka dot outfit which is a nod to the global symbol for diabetes awareness, the new Barbie comes equipped with a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) on her arm and an insulin pump on her waist.
“This Barbie represents the incredible people living with type 1 diabetes and shows kids that a life with this condition is just as vibrant, fulfilling and rich with possibilities,” read an official post from Barbie’s Instagram account.
What is Type 1 Diabetes
According to Mayo Clinic: “Type 1 diabetes, once known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin.” Insulin is a hormone the body uses to allow sugar (glucose) to enter cells to produce energy.
Without insulin, blood sugar levels can rise to dangerous levels, potentially damaging major organs like the heart, kidneys, eyes, nerves and blood vessels.
Mayo Clinic further explained: “Various factors, including genetics and some viruses, may contribute to type 1 diabetes. Although type 1 diabetes usually appears during childhood or adolescence, it can develop in adults.”
Unlike type 2 diabetes, it cannot be prevented or reversed. “Even after a lot of research, type 1 diabetes has no cure,” Mayo Clinic noted. “Treatment is directed toward managing the amount of sugar in the blood using insulin, diet and lifestyle to prevent complications.”
Representation matters
In the United States alone, around 304,000 children and teens are currently living with type 1 diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And in the Philippines, the numbers are rising. The Philippine Society of Pediatric Metabolism and Endocrinology reported that at least eight percent of Filipino children could now be diabetic, a steep rise from two-three percent just a decade ago. A Senate resolution filed on Sept. 13, 2024, called for an in-depth study and increased government support for this growing public health concern.
For families, the physical and emotional toll of type 1 diabetes can be immense. Many parents have turned to platforms like TikTok to document the realities of daily care.
One of the most followed voices in this space is @thet1dMama, also known as Samara, who has over three million followers. Through heartfelt videos, she shares her journey with her young daughter, Addie. In one clip, she gently applies a CGM while Addie sleeps, doing her best to spare her child the discomfort of being awake during the process.
Barbie has long been at the forefront of inclusion, releasing dolls with vitiligo, prosthetic limbs, hearing aids, and diverse body types and ethnic backgrounds. Earlier this year, Mattel also introduced the first Filipina Barbie, representing cultural pride for many Filipino families.
With the T1D Barbie, Mattel continues this momentum, this time spotlighting health conditions that don’t often make it into mainstream conversations.