Special Features - Winning The Game Against Diabetes

Winning The Game Against Diabetes
3 November 2009 by Richard Maino, London Press Service

INTERNATIONAL experts say that this year more than 70,000 youngsters under the age of 15 will develop type 1 diabetes worldwide - equivalent to 200 new cases a day.

Young people with diabetes are being encouraged to manage their lifelong condition by rewarding them for doing regular blood tests - with a glucose meter that gives out points on handheld computer games.

The Didget glucose "games meter" offers play with purpose to persuade youngsters to monitor their blood glucose regularly, to begin to view regular testing as "fun" and meet their glucose target ranges.

To help them cope with that, the Didget is the first and only blood-glucose meter for young diabetics that connects directly to Nintendo DS and DS Lite gaming systems, says the meter's developer, Bayer Diabetes Care of the UK.

Building on 40 years of experience, Bayer says it is transforming how youngsters engage in their diabetes management by tapping into their existing passion for handheld gaming.

"One of the biggest challenges facing parents of children with diabetes is the constant struggle to instil the habit of regular blood-glucose testing that is critical for consistent diabetes

management," said John Gregory, professor in paediatric endocrinology at the Wales School of Medicine at Cardiff University, Wales.

"Bayer's Didget meter can help ease the parent/child tension that testing often creates by adding an element of fun and rewards to the routine. Because it is designed with children in mind, the meter can transform a child's blood-glucose testing experience from something they have to do into something they want to do," he added.

The glucose meter positively reinforces consistent testing habits by awarding points that youngsters can use to unlock new game levels and customise their gaming experience.

Sandra Peterson, head of Bayer Medical Care, said: "The Didget meter is a revolutionary development in healthcare management. Up until now, blood-glucose monitors have been created with adults in mind.

"This product was inspired by a parent of a child with diabetes, to directly address the challenges facing children with diabetes and their parents. Bayer's Didget meter offers play with purpose to encourage children to regularly monitor their blood glucose and begin to view regular testing as fun."

The meter, intended for use by children aged 5-14, will also connect to Bayer's Didget World (www.bayerdidget.co.uk), a password-protected web community where youngsters can spend points that they earn from consistent monitoring practices and create their own page.

Contact Information:

Name: Rachel Owen
Website: www.bayerhealthcare.com/
Telephone: +44 (0)1635 563000
Fax: +44 (0)1635 563393
Email: rachel.owen.ro@bayer.co.uk
Address: Bayer HealthCare, Bayer UK, Bayer House, Strawberry Hill, Newbury, Berkshire, United Kingdom, RG14 1JA