Leclair E, de Kerdanet M, Riddell M and Heyman E
The diagnosis of type 1 diabetes (T1D) often occurs in childhood; age and maturation of that patient come with elevated risk of developing microvacular complications and cardiac disease. Insulin treatment, diet control and physical activity are incorporated in T1D treatment, and childhood should be a time at which good diabetes control habits should be developed. Exercise clearly offers many health and psychological benefits, improves body composition, insulin sensitivity, glycemic control and quality of life. Unfortunately, T1D adolescents often do not achieve the recommended physical activity level and are sometimes less active than healthy adolescents. A clear statement about expected beneficial effects is required in order to encourage and to provide opportunities for engaging in physical activity since childhood foster the maintenance of an active lifestyle in adulthood. This review highlights the beneficial effects of physical activity in T1D children and adolescents and provides some guidance on how physical activity should be managed in this patient population.