Barbie With Type One Diabetes Created
Mattel, the Barbie producing company, has recently released a Barbie with Type 1 Diabetes on July 8, 2025. The Barbie was made to promote inclusivity and representation.
Mattel’s slogan is “You can be anything”, primarily associated with Barbie. This slogan shows that no matter who you are, you can always achieve your dreams with hard work. The diabetic Barbie is an example. Children with diabetes will know that even though they are diabetic and their bodies work differently than others, they can become “anything” they want to be.
Type 1 Diabetes is a lifelong health condition that causes the pancreas to make little to no insulin. Lab-made insulin is then needed, injected several times a day, usually. Another option is the insulin pump, implanted into the body, giving a continuous flow of insulin.
The diabetic Barbie with olive skin and chocolate hair features an insulin pump with its pink display screen secured to the top of her skirt. On her left arm is a glucose monitor, also pink. Barbie’s outfit is a matching tank top, paired with a flared skirt. Both are blue, patterned with large polka dots. A light blue purse, the same color as the polka dots, contains her phone, which is showing her glucose readings. As well as the phone, some supplies and snacks help Barbie manage her sugar levels.
But while Barbies are fun to play with for young children, there are also negative effects. Many children deal with body dysmorphia and compare themselves to the thin and unrealistic Barbie. Mattel has created many diverse Barbies in the Barbie Fashionista series, as well as the diabetic one. This includes Curvy Barbie, Tall Barbie, Petite Barbie, Blind Barbie, Barbie with Down Syndrome, Barbie with a Prosthetic Limb, and many more.
Barbies like these have helped empower many girls and make them feel accepted. Mattel is still working on more in the series, to include more children. “Barbie has changed over the years to be more inclusive and mirror the world around us,” it states on the Mattel website.
