Explainer: Barbie's new diabetes doll comes with an insulin pump & glucose monitor — but is it just a gimmick or real change?
According to Mattel, the new release is part of their ongoing commitment to reflect diverse health realities and bring inclusive storytelling into playrooms.
A design reflecting real-life diabetes management
The new Barbie is part of the 2025 Barbie Fashionistas collection. She wears a blue polka-dot crop top with a ruffled mini skirt and chunky heels. Beyond fashion, the doll includes realistic diabetes care accessories—a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) on her arm and an insulin pump at her waist.
The bag she carries is designed to hold emergency snacks, reflecting the everyday needs of children with the condition. The choice of blue polka dots also ties into global diabetes awareness efforts.
Advocates and launch partners
To extend the impact of the release, Mattel partnered with diabetes advocates Lila Moss and Robin Arzon, who will serve as official ambassadors for the doll. Their involvement is aimed at spreading awareness and encouraging broader conversations around health representation in toys.
Krista Berger, Senior Vice President of Barbie and Global Head of Dolls at Mattel, stated: 'Barbie helps shape children's early perceptions of the world. We ensure more kids can see themselves in the stories they imagine and the dolls they love.'
Highlighting a chronic condition that affects millions
Type-1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the pancreas's ability to produce insulin. This hormone is essential for converting food into energy. Without sufficient insulin, people with the condition must rely on external sources such as injections or insulin pumps to regulate blood sugar.
The disease can be diagnosed at any age, but often presents in childhood or adolescence. By reflecting this condition in a mainstream toy, Mattel hopes to foster empathy, understanding, and confidence among young users via bringing this new doll in the market.
Mattel's new Barbie offers a meaningful step in making chronic conditions visible and relatable for the next generation.
To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
23-07-2025
- News18
Son Of British Couple Held In Afghanistan Fears For Their Lives; Taliban Assures Medical Care
Last Updated: Following their arrest, the couple was initially held at Pul-e-Charkhi prison. The fate of an elderly couple imprisoned in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime remains uncertain. Peter Reynolds, 80, and his wife Barbie, 76, have been detained for over six months. Despite repeated appeals from their children and the UK government, the Taliban maintains that the formalities for their release are still incomplete. The couple was arrested in early February from their home in Bamiyan province, located in central Afghanistan. The exact reason for their detention has not been officially confirmed. Peter and Barbie Reynolds had been running educational training programs in Afghanistan for 18 years and chose to remain in the country even after the Taliban's return to power in 2021. A source familiar with the case told AFP in April that their arrest may have been linked to their possession of several non-Islamic books. Following their arrest, the couple was initially held at Pul-e-Charkhi prison, where they were allowed to contact their children. They were later transferred to the General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI), with the promise that they would be released within a day or two. However, that promise has not been fulfilled. Their son, Jonathan Reynolds, recently expressed his growing fears in an interview with the BBC. The couple last contacted their family on June 15. According to Jonathan, their health is deteriorating rapidly, and the continued detention could be fatal. He emphasised the urgent need for their release and proper medical attention. The family has previously stated that a remote medical assessment indicated Peter may have suffered a heart attack or silent stroke. There are also concerns that his skin cancer could have returned, requiring immediate treatment. Barbie is reportedly experiencing numbness in her feet, which may be a sign of anaemia. Officials from the UK Foreign Office are in contact with the Taliban to expedite the release process. Meanwhile, UN officials have condemned the couple's detention, warning that they could suffer 'irreparable harm or even death" if denied timely medical care. 'The psychological toll on their health from not knowing why they are being held or when they will be released is cruel treatment," said UN experts. In response, the Taliban has claimed that the couple is being treated well. 'All their human rights are being respected. They are receiving medical care," Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi stated at a recent press conference. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Indian Express
19-07-2025
- Indian Express
New Barbie with type 1 diabetes could help kids with the condition feel seen – and help others learn
Barbie has done many things since she first appeared in 1959. She's been an astronaut, a doctor, a president and even a palaeontologist. Now, in 2025, Barbie is something else: a woman with type 1 diabetes. Mattel's latest Barbie was recently launched by Lila Moss, a British model who lives with type 1 diabetes. The doll comes with a visible insulin pump and a continuous glucose monitor, devices many people with diabetes rely on. To some people, this might seem like just another version of the doll. But to kids living with type 1 diabetes – especially young girls – it's a big deal. This new Barbie is not just a toy. It's about being seen. What is type 1 diabetes? Type 1 diabetes is a condition where the body stops making insulin, the hormone that helps control blood sugar levels. It's not caused by lifestyle or diet. It's an autoimmune condition (a disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells) and often starts in childhood. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day, often through multiple injections or an insulin pump. They also need to check their blood sugar regularly, using finger pricks or a continuous glucose monitor worn on the skin (usually the upper arm). Although type 1 diabetes can be effectively managed, there is no cure. Millions of people across the world live with this condition, and numbers are on the rise. In Australia, type 1 diabetes affects more than 13,000 children and teens, while in New Zealand, around 2,500 children under 18 have type 1 diabetes. Globally, 1.8 million young people are affected. Managing type 1 diabetes isn't easy for children Young people with type 1 diabetes must think about their condition every day – at school, during sports, at sleepovers and even while playing. They may have to stop what they're doing and check their blood sugar levels. It can feel isolating and frustrating. Stigma is a big issue for children and young people with type 1 diabetes. Some young people feel embarrassed using their insulin pumps or checking their blood sugar in public. One study found pre-teens with diabetes sometimes felt they received unwanted attention when using devices such as insulin pumps and glucose monitors. Stigma can make young people less likely to take care of their diabetes, which can create problems for their health. Seeing a Barbie with an insulin pump and glucose monitor could make a significant difference. Children form their sense of identity early, and toys play a surprisingly powerful role in that process. While children with type 1 diabetes can often feel different from their peers, toys can help normalise their experience and reduce the sense of isolation that can come with managing a chronic condition. Research shows toys and media such as books and TV shows reflecting children's experiences can boost self-esteem, reduce stigma and improve emotional wellbeing. For girls especially, Barbie is more than a doll. She represents what is often perceived to be admired or desirable and this can influence how girls perceive their own bodies. A Barbie with a glucose monitor and insulin pump sends a clear message: this is part of real life. You're not alone. That kind of visibility is empowering. It tells children their condition doesn't define them or limit their potential. It also helps challenge outdated stereotypes about illness and disability. Some may worry a doll with a medical condition might make playtime too serious or scary. But in reality, play is how kids learn about the world. Toys that reflect real life – including health issues – can help children process emotions, ask questions, reduce fear and feel more in control. A broader shift towards inclusivity and representation Mattel's new Barbie shows diabetes and the devices needed to manage the condition in a positive, everyday way, and that matters. It can start conversations and help kids without diabetes learn what those devices are and why someone wears them. It builds understanding early. Mattel has added to its range of Barbies in recent years to showcase the beauty that everyone has. There are now Barbies with a wide range of skin tones, hair textures, body types and disabilities – including dolls with hearing aids, vitiligo (loss of skin pigmentation) and wheelchairs. The diabetes Barbie is part of this broader shift toward inclusivity and should be applauded. Every child should be able to find toys that reflect who they are, and the people they love. This Barbie won't make diabetes go away. But she might help a child feel more seen, more confident, more like their peers. She might help a classmate understand that a glucose monitor isn't scary – it's just something some people need. She might make a school nurse's job easier when explaining to teachers or students how to support a student with diabetes. Living with type 1 diabetes as a child is tough. Anything that helps kids feel a little more included, and a little less different, is worth celebrating. A doll might seem small. But to the right child, at the right moment, it could mean everything.
News18
17-07-2025
- News18
Barbie Launches First Doll with Type 1 Diabetes
In a historic first, Mattel in association with Breakthrough T1D, has introduced the first Barbie doll with Type 1 diabetes.
