The latest Barbie to debut is packing insulin and a glucose monitor along with her high heels and fancy frocks.
Meet Type 1 Diabetes Barbie, the newest addition to the Barbie pantheon — and a far cry from the tiny waist and immovable stiletto-styled feet of days gone by.
Kids who have diabetes will see themselves reflected in an iconic toy, and those who don’t will engage in “doll play that extends beyond a child’s own lived experience, thereby fostering a greater sense of inclusion and empathy – all pillars of the Barbie brand’s mission,” Mattel said in its announcement Tuesday.
Mattel worked closely with the diabetes research and advocacy organization Breakthrough T1D to create accurate doll-sized versions of the medical equipment many people with Type 1 diabetes carry. Barbie wears a blue polka-dot crop top and ruffled miniskirt, a color and pattern that incorporate the international symbols for diabetes awareness. The circle signifies unity, and the color blue evokes health and medical information, according to the International Diabetes Federation, which adopted the symbols in 2006.
“Introducing a Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes marks an important step in our commitment to inclusivity and representation,” said Krista Berger, Mattel’s senior vice president of Barbie and global head of dolls. “Barbie helps shape children’s early perceptions of the world, and by reflecting medical conditions like T1D, we ensure more kids can see themselves in the stories they imagine and the dolls they love.”
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which the pancreas makes little or no insulin, the hormone that helps blood sugar enter the body’s cells to produce energy. The condition, which usually shows up in childhood, requires careful management, since complications of blood sugar buildup can be serious. About 304,000 children and adolescents are among the 2 million Americans with Type 1 diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association.
In 2024, Mattel introduced a blind Barbie and a Black Barbie with Down syndrome into its Fashionistas line, following the initial 2023 introduction of a Barbie with Down syndrome.
With News Wire Services
