Two truths and a lie: Separate T1D facts from fiction

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Awareness Life with T1D
Family sits on the floor of their living room playing a game

There are a lot of commonly believed myths about type 1 diabetes (T1D). The misinformation and confusion it causes can be harmful to our T1D community—and people who may be at risk of developing this condition.  

In addition to our pursuit of cures and breakthroughs, we work to spread awareness about T1D to dispel myths and keep people informed—whether they live with T1D or not.  

So let’s play Two Truths and a Lie, a T1D edition. In each of the questions below, you see three statements about life with T1D. Only two are true. Your challenge is to separate fact from fiction and identify the lie. Are you ready?  

Take the quiz

  1. T1D can develop suddenly in both children and adults at any age 
  2. T1D can be caused by diets that are too rich or too high in sugar 
  3. Around 85% of T1D diagnoses are in people without a known family history of the condition 
  1. Rapid and unexplained weight gain 
  2. Slow-healing cuts  
  3. Experiencing extreme thirst or frequent urination 
  1. Several collegiate and professional athletes currently live with T1D 
  2. Depending on the person and the type of activity, exercise may cause a person to experience a drop OR a rise in blood-glucose levels 
  3. It is not recommended that people living with T1D engage in physical activity without the direct supervision of a medical professional 

Check your answers

Now it’s time to see how you did by checking your answers:

B. Diet does not cause T1D—and there are no dietary changes one can make to prevent its onset.  

A. Unexplained weight loss—not weight gain—is a common T1D symptom. This can indicate that a person’s body isn’t able to get enough energy from the food they eat. 

C. Exercise isn’t just recommended—it’s especially important for people living with T1D. Staying active is great for the body and the mind, but, just like most other parts of life with T1D, it requires some extra preparation before diving in.  

Knowledge is power when it comes to life with T1D.

Thanks for playing! Will you pass this post along to a friend or two and challenge them to see what they know?  

We’re committed to ensuring that people affected by this disease always have the information and support they need to live healthy and safely—while we pursue life-changing cures and breakthroughs every day. 

You can help!

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Written by: Breakthrough T1D