What is a primary reason students with diabetes are at increased risk of dehydration?

Students with diabetes are at increased risk of dehydration primarily due to high glucose levels causing increased urination. When blood glucose levels rise above a certain threshold, the kidneys attempt to remove the excess glucose from the bloodstream through urine. This process, known as osmotic diuresis, leads to frequent urination which can result in significant fluid loss. As a consequence, if these students do not adequately replace the fluids lost, they can become dehydrated.

In contrast, while low fluid intake during meals, excess physical activity, and high carbohydrate diets can contribute to dehydration in some scenarios, they are not the primary reasons associated specifically with diabetes. Low fluid intake may be an issue for anyone regardless of diabetes status, and while physical activity can lead to fluid loss, it is the impaired regulation of blood glucose and subsequent urination that is most notable in the context of diabetes management. High carbohydrate diets do not directly correlate with dehydration; instead, it is the body's inability to manage excess glucose effectively that poses the greatest risk.