Doha: Parents are cautioned to monitor children and adolescents who wish to fast during Ramadan to ensure their health is not negatively impacted by low intake of food and fluids.
Nada Yaqoub, Dietitian, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), said although children below the age of puberty are exempted from fasting, they can fast for half day and the ability to fast all day varies from one individual to another, depending on their physical structure, health condition and the prevailing climatic conditions.
“Low fluid intake due to fasting in hot weather like in Qatar may lead to dehydration in children and adolescents. It is imperative that they drink plenty of water after sunset,” she said.
Yaqoub stressed the importance of providing children and adolescents with balanced Iftar meals comprising carbohydrates, proteins and healthy (unsaturated) fats. Parents are also advised to ensure their children consume enough fruits and vegetables to supply them with necessary vitamins and minerals.
“Suhour meals should contain fiber, which lasts longer in the digestive system. They should also contain dairy products for calcium supplement children and adolescents need. Beverages such as tea, coffee and carbonated drinks should be avoided as they tend to cause further dehydration,” she advised.
According to her, Suhour can be delayed until closer to dawn to reduce the child’s fasting hours and mitigate risks of dehydration and/or a drop in blood glucose levels (hypoglycemia).
“To help prevent stomach upset after eating, children should avoid eating the Iftar meal quickly. It is ideal to eat and drink gradually while breaking the fast, starting with juice and dates,” Yaqoub said.
“Parents should provide fasting children with a variety of dishes so they will not be bored from eating similar meals repeatedly.
“Parents should also encourage children and adolescents to do some light exercise; however, they should not allow them to participate in excessive physical activities during fasting hours to protect them from dehydration or hypoglycemia,” she cautioned.
Since low intake of food and fluid is a risk factor for hypoglycemia among fasting diabetic patients, children and adolescents with the disease must be monitored for signs or symptoms of hypoglycemia or dehydration,” she said.
“Signs of hypoglycemia may include heart palpitations, shakiness, anxiety, sweating, hunger and a tingling sensation around the mouth while severe signs and symptoms of dehydration can include extreme thirst, a lack of urination, shrivelled skin, dizziness and confusion.
“Should any of these signs or symptoms show, the children or adolescents must break fast to avoid further complications.
“Blood glucose may sometimes drop to a life-threatening level in diabetic children and adolescents and they must be supervised by a physician and dietitian,” Yaqoub added.
As part of its commitment to provide the safest, most effective and compassionate care, HMC recently launched a diabetes awareness campaign to improve the population’s overall health by raising awareness of risk factors associated with the development of diabetes and promoting healthy lifestyle choices.
Tips and information about living well with diabetes during Ramadan and throughout the year are available at diabetes.hamad.qa. The Peninsula
