Children need to wait until old enough before fasting

Donya Betancourt, Pediatrician, Sanur, Bali, drdonya@hotmail.com

At this time of the month, Muslims around the world are fasting between sunrise and sunset.

But should children take part in fasting too?

There is a rule saying that if children are too young, they must not fast during the Ramadhan fasting month. They should wait until they are old enough to fast without damaging their bodies.

As parents, you can give your children permission to fast half of the day for practice until they are old enough to fast for a whole day like the grown-ups.

Personally, I recommend that children under the age of seven years should not fast as they need calories to supply their brain and growth development.

Children who are older than that can adjust and let parents know they are hungry, or tolerate hunger depending on parents' supervision.

Ramadhan lasts between 29 days and 30 days, a very long period for children under 15 years to go without food.

Dietary restrictions, which includes periodic fasting as well as living on a reduced calorie intake while ensuring complete nutrient intake as compared with the average diet, has a number of effects. So, eating and living patterns which includes periodic fasting is likely to enhance health as well as slowing down the aging process via all the means described. These include such things as a slower metabolic rate, reduced free radical activity, better protein synthesis and enhanced immune functions, combined with greater growth hormone levels.

Fasting for longer than two days can hardly ever cause harm, although some short-term symptoms might be noted.

Awareness of the likely side effects of fasting is important both for the person fasting and anyone supervising them. So what are the common side effects?

Headaches usually last less than a day and are common at the start of a fast. Insomnia is not uncommon at the start of a fast. Dizziness, lightheadedness and palpitations are also common early symptoms and highlight the need for rest. People should not drive or use machinery requiring strength or concentration during a fast.

Increased body odor, skin rashes and dry skin may appear during fasting. Increased discharge from mucous membranes (nasal, vaginal etc) often takes place and this should be allowed to happen unchecked.

It is also normal to feel colder than usual while fasting so people should dress more warmly than usual and add an extra blanket to the bed. Bed-rest is not essential or even desirable unless the physical condition demands it.

Fresh air and a little gentle exercise are helpful but excessive exercising should be avoided to conserve energy and prevent dehydration. The bowels may stop functioning during fasting and this is not a concern. And hunger vanishes after the first day of a fast. Drink plenty of fluids and watch the urine color. If it is too yellow drink more water.

Whether parents choose to have their children participate in the Ramadhan fasting or not is a personal decision. But the most important thing to remember is that any child who participates must be closely watched and supervised.