 [ Symptoms ] what is type 1 diabetes [ Disease ] type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults and was previously known as juvenile diabetes in type 1 diabetes the body does not produce insulin insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar starches and other food into energy needed for daily life only 5 of people with diabetes have this form of the disease with the help of insulin therapy and other treatments even young children with type 1 diabetes can learn to manage their condition and live long healthy happy lives if you have or know a child who was recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes you may also be interested in our book