Diabetes in Sport: Tackling Stigma, Building Inclusion & Unlocking Athlete Potential

Physical activity is a powerful tool for managing diabetes and preventing serious health complications. However, there are significant barriers faced by people with diabetes, especially young athletes, including stigma, misunderstanding, and a lack of support from coaches, schools, and sporting bodies. The discussion emphasizes the urgent need for systemic change, education, and clear policies to ensure everyone, regardless of their health condition, can participate safely and confidently in sport, fostering better health outcomes and community cohesion.

Key Takeaways:

• Diabetes is a major public health challenge affecting 12 million people in the UK, contributing to strokes, amputations, and heart attacks.
• Physical activity is crucial for managing diabetes, helping to regulate blood glucose, reduce insulin needs, improve blood pressure, and support mental health.
• People with diabetes often face exclusion, misunderstanding, and stigma in sports, leading to missed opportunities and emotional distress.
• A systemic failure exists, with many sporting bodies, coaches, and schools ill-equipped to support individuals with diabetes, as evidenced by a lack of specific policies.
• The Equality Act 2010 provides legal protection against discrimination, but a gap remains between policy and lived experience.
• Government initiatives and funding aim to increase physical activity and reduce inactivity, particularly among demographics with long-term health conditions like diabetes.
• There's a call for national sports bodies to show leadership, work with healthcare professionals, and provide training and clear policies to tackle stigma and ensure inclusion.

Definitions:

• Hypoglycaemia (Hypos): A common concern for people with diabetes, where blood sugar levels drop too low, especially during exercise, requiring immediate treatment.

Source: Diabetes in Sport
Volume 772: debated on Wednesday 3 September 2025

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