Mattel unveils first-ever Barbie doll with diabetes

By Jheruleene Anne Ramos 

Mattel, the renowned multinational toy and entertainment company, has unveiled its first-ever Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes (T1D) as part of its Barbie Fashionistas line.

The new doll wears a blue polka-dot crop top and ruffled miniskirt – a nod to the global diabetes awareness symbol, the blue circle – paired with heels and a pastel blue purse for snacks or supplies. 

She features a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) on her arm, secured with heart-shaped medical tape and linked to a smartphone app to track blood sugar levels, along with an insulin pump on her waist that continuously delivers insulin to manage her condition.

The company worked with Breakthrough T1D, formerly known as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, to design the doll. 

The doll was first introduced at the Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress, a three-day event in Washington where children and teenagers living with the condition meet lawmakers, CNN reported. 

Championing representation, inclusivity

Krista Berger, senior vice president of Barbie and global head of dolls, said the launch reflects Mattel’s commitment to inclusivity and representation.

“Barbie helps shape children’s early perceptions of the world, and by reflecting medical conditions like (Type 1 diabetes), we ensure more kids can see themselves in the stories they imagine and the dolls they love,” she said. 

Breakthrough T1D chief executive officer Aaron J. Kowalski, who has lived with T1D since age 13, echoed these sentiments, saying that having a Barbie doll with the condition raises awareness and shows that life can still be fulfilling even with T1D.

“This partnership is deeply personal – it means the world to be part of bringing greater visibility to a condition that affects so many families,” he said, as quoted by ABC. 

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Hopes to break stigma around T1D 

The company and its partners also hope the new doll will help reduce stigma and encourage young patients to feel confident and accepted. 

Children living with chronic conditions often face misunderstanding, isolation, and fear of bullying or discrimination. 

Several studies over the past years have proven that this kind of stigma can have a detrimental impact on their mental health and diabetes management. 

This was true for Hollie from Cleethorpes, England, whose 14-year-old son Will was initially reluctant to wear a CGM or insulin pod because they made his condition visible and could invite judgment, the BBC reported.

Over time, Will grew more comfortable managing his diabetes, and the family hopes that dolls like this will help others better understand T1D. 

Highlighting health conditions through dolls

With the launch of the Barbie with T1D, Mattel continues its advocacy of representing health conditions that rarely appear in mainstream toys like T1D. 

According to the World Health Organisation, T1D, once known as “juvenile diabetes” or “insulin-dependent diabetes” is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin, a hormone the body uses to allow sugar to enter cells to produce energy. 

Health experts warn that without insulin, blood sugar levels can rise dangerously high, risking damage to major organs such as the heart, kidneys, nerves, eyes, and blood vessels.

Unlike type 2 diabetes, T1D cannot be prevented or reversed. Treatment focuses on managing blood sugar through insulin use and maintaining a healthy lifestyle to help prevent complications.

Previously, Mattel has launched Barbie dolls with hearing aids, a blind doll who uses a cane, a doll with a prosthetic leg and one with Down syndrome, as part of its effort to make the iconic brand more diverse and representative.

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