The EFFECTS
Grade Level: 5-6
Topic(s): Diabetes, chronic disease, physical activity
Subject Area(s): Health, Science, Biology
Learning Outcomes: By the end of this lesson, students will be able to describe the
effects of diabetes and identify the advantages of being physically active.
Materials Required:
 Background Information on Diabetes
 Diabetes Effects diagram
 Several magazines
 Poster boards
 Scissors
 Glue
Instructions:
1. Review the definitions of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes with students (see
Background Information).
2. Review the definitions of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia (see Background
Information).
3. Discuss the ways to prevent Type 2 diabetes and the relationship to healthy
lifestyles (see Background Information).
4. Using the Diabetes Effects diagram, have students write what happens to each
body part when someone has diabetes.
 Brain: Chance of diabetic seizure
 Mouth: Dry and thirsty
 Eyes: Blurred vision
 Pancreas: Doesn’t produce enough insulin
 Heart: Works harder, risk of heart attack
 Hands: Tingling
 Bladder: Frequent urination
 Blood Vessels: Increased pressure
5. Discuss the term “physical inactivity”. Ask students what happens when people
are inactive (i.e., they may gain weight, their heart has to work harder, the heart
muscle can weaken, stiffness in joints, possibility of getting other illnesses such
as heart disease and certain types of cancers).
6. In small groups, have students use magazine pictures and personal drawings to
develop collages on activities linked with being physically active. Post collages in
classroom and discuss the advantages of being active and staying healthy,
particularly as it relates to Type 2 diabetes.
Extensions:
Have students record how many times they were physically active in the past week and
how many times they optimally ate according to Canada’s Food Guide.
Background Information on Diabetes
Diabetes interferes with the body’s ability to produce or properly use insulin – a
hormone that is essential for the proper use of the energy contained in the food we eat.
This results in a series of malfunctions, which include an excess of a type of sugar
called glucose (found in tests on the blood and urine). Over time, diabetes can lead to
life-threatening and debilitating complications. Scientific studies have also shown that
the adverse effects of diabetes can be prevented through proper management of blood
sugar levels. There are three main types of diabetes:
 Type 1, where the body makes little or no insulin;
 Type 2, where the body makes insulin but cannot use it properly;
 Gestational diabetes, where the body is not able to properly use insulin during
pregnancy. This type of diabetes goes away after the baby is born. However, it
can develop into Type 2 without healthy lifestyle practices.
Currently, the growth of diabetes in Canada is at epidemic levels. Over 2 million
Canadians have diabetes and one-third of them are undiagnosed. Among First Nations
people, the prevalence of diabetes is three to five times the national average. The
occurrence of Type 2 diabetes among children is becoming more of a concern among
the North American population. Currently, children with Type 2 diabetes are usually
diagnosed over the age of 10 years and are in middle to late puberty. Slow onset maybe
present for 5-8 year olds before diagnosis.
When the body is not using or producing insulin properly, the result can be high or low
blood sugar, which are also referred to as hyper and hypoglycemia:
 Hypoglycemia occurs when the body’s blood glucose (sugar) levels drop too
low. Low blood glucose symptoms may include trembling, sweating, anxiety,
hunger, nausea, confusion, dizziness, blurred vision, and tiredness. Left
untreated, hypoglycemia may cause people to lose consciousness.
 Hyperglycemia occurs when the body’s blood glucose (sugar) is too high. High
blood glucose can result when food, activity and medications are not balanced.
High blood glucose may also happen when an individual is sick or under stress.
Signs of hyperglycemia include thirst, frequent urination, and fatigue. Call or see
your doctor, you may need to adjust your meal plan, increase your physical
activity, or adjust any medications.
Diabetes is also associated with a range of different symptoms, affecting many parts of
the body.
Signs and symptoms of diabetes may be …
 Unusual thirst
 Frequent urination
 Unusual weight loss
 Extreme fatigue or lack of energy
 Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
 Blurred vision
Some long-term effects of diabetes …
 Leading cause of adult blindness, amputations, kidney failure and dialysis
 Causes 1/3 of all heart disease
 Major cause of stroke
 Raises blood pressure
 Diabetic seizures
What we do know is that Type 2 diabetes is preventable, and “adult-onset” is typically
diagnosed about the age of 45, but earlier cases have been reported. People of an
advanced age or with a family history of diabetes have a higher risk of being diagnosed
with Type 2. But there are other risk factors – such as being excessively overweight,
poor eating habits, and physical inactivity – that are preventable. Eating healthy
foods, staying active, and maintaining a healthy body weight are important
factors in preventing Type 2 diabetes.
Sources:
 Canadian Diabetes Association: www.diabetes.ca
 American Diabetes Association: Type 2 Diabetes in Children and Adolescents,
Diabetes Care, 2000; 23(3): 381-389.
 Dean, H., & Sellers, E. (2001) The Silent Iceberg: Type 2 Diabetes in Children.
Canadian Diabetes Journal, 2001; vol. 14, no. 1: 3-4.