Hyderabad: The death of 13-year-old Aradhana Samdariya after 68 days of fasting in the city last week has highlighted the practice of fasting even among children in almost all religious communities, although the types of food that can be eaten and when, differs.
While children and adolescents are encouraged to fast by family members citing religious norms or benefits, pediatricians and nutritionists are strictly against children and adolescents fasting, especially rigorous fasting that lasts more than eight to 12 hours.
Dr K. Ramesh Reddy, paediatric surgeon and head of the paediatric surgery department at Niloufer Hospital, said, “Children should not be encouraged to fast. They cannot withstand extremes.”
He said mild dehydration could lead to serious issues in a child. “Adults can withstand stress due to hypoglycemia but not children because they have more stores of fat. This would run out in around four days after which the body starts to develop ketones. If this starts, then any part of the body, could be damaged resulting in possible death.”
Dr Reddy added, “If a child is made to fast, it should not be for more than eight hours.”
Dr Sri Krishna, senior paediatrician from the city, added, “Medically, fasting for prolonged periods is not advisable. Fasting by children and adolescents is not advisable lasting 24 hours, leave alone days.”
Dr Sujatha Stephen, chief nutritionist at a private hospital, said, “Children and adolescents have higher metabolism than adults and hence consume more energy. Fasting is not at all advisable.”
