Kids Fasting?

Question

Is fasting safe for kids? I don't really know much about it but to me in my opinion it just seems really unhealthy. I get the idea of it and why people do it, but my friend's church is doing it for the youth section and to me that doesn't seem right. My friend is 16, and there's kids as young as 9 in her "youth group". And her pastor is wanting everyone to fast for atleast 7 days straight with no food and only water.

Isn't that unhealthy for kids that are growing and need the everyday protein, etc.? I understand maybe for adults if they wish, but kids? I've talked to my friend about it and what she thinks, she's normaly really religious and so far the only thing she's said about it is atleast she'll lose a lot of weight. There's so many factors of this fasting with the kids that I think aren't right.

I'm not apart of her church, she trys to take me but I won't go. I've been twice and didn't like the vibe it gave off, it was really "strong". My friend is completely brainwashed by this place it seems and everyone in there is like that too.

For the hours thing, I thought the same thing. I grew up with a kid from Iran or somewhere in the Middle East, she would skip breakfast and lunch at school but ate during certain hours. But what my friend's church is doing is crazy in my eyes.

Answer 1

Yes, of course it's unhealthy. Depriving your body of needed vitamins and nutrients will hurt your immune system, leaving you vulnerable to illness. It will also mess up your natural metabolism,and ironically, may actually cause you to gain weight in the long term. You have to understand the body to realize how this will happen, but to summarize it, your body will get used to the low calorie(lack of calorie is more like it) and will adjust accordingly. You will lose weight in this process, but when you end your fast and start to eat again, the body will take time to adjust back to normal and you will quickly gain it all back. Furthermore, the loss of muscle during this retarded religious fast will cause your body to lose natural metabolism and you will most likely end up heavier than before.

I really shouldn't need to explain any more, just don't do it, it's dumb, mmk? :)

I hate to break this to you, but many religious people are crazy. Find your own beliefs, stick with them, be spiritual, be happy, love life. You can love God and believe in God without a church telling you what to believe. Don't listen to crazy pastors telling you to not eat for a week. THAT IS ALL! :)

Answer 2

Absolutely. Fasting for Kids is B A D, Very B A D.

In Australia we have what is called the 48 famine - you get sponsors to pay an amount per hour that you go without food for a max of 48 hours. Money goes to the starving in Africa.

If you are under 16 they recommend you only go for 24 hours i.e. start after your evening meal on a Friday and stop 24 hours later. That way you can eat late on Saturday.

Even for adults they recommend only the very fit and healthy do this, and if you feel faint etc. use Barley Sugar lollies.

Hope this helps

Answer 3

Generally, yes. The church I belong to (Roman Catholic) encourages fasting, but even then, there are certain cirterian. For example, Children younger than fourteen are encouraged to avoid meat during the fast, but they do not have to do the full on no food fast. People with hypoglycemia, diabetes, or other medical conditions which prevent them from fasting are also not required. Pregnant women are also exempt from the full fast.

In other religions, where long term fasting is required, there is still some food provided. In Islam, the fast at Ramadan extends from sun up to sun down, which is when people eat.

I would ask your friend for more details, and encourage her to think about several factors. She may not be as effective if she does not eat. Studies show that students who don't eat breakfast don't preform as well in school. Second, look at medical data about long term fast. And, finally, no matter what, support your friend in her desicion.

Answer 4

Firstly, this isn't a question about religion or losing weight. I'm getting angry reading some of these answers!

Anyway, I don't think it's a good idea either. For adults, they can do whatever they want with their bodies ... have you talked to their parents? In the end, they will have control over what their children do. Growing kids need nutrients like you said. I doubt their parents will let them, unless they are really into the whole fasting thing too.

Answer 5

I will say that is on the extreme side of fasting. I am Catholic and the the church say all over the age of 14 need to participate in fasting (except the sick, pregnant and elderly), but their are only I believe 2 or 3 days that we fast. And a day of fasting is no breakfast, small lunch (basically half of what you normally eat) and a full dinner or a small breakfast, no lunch, full dinner.

But no food just water I think that is way too extreme.

Answer 6

Fasting cleanses and purifies your body, child or not. I wouldn't say that I would let my child do a 7 day fast though, probably not more than 3. Check with the church though. Alot of times churches will do (7/30/40) day fasts and they're not meaning just food. If it is food, they'll usually have say group a fast on mondays and wednesdays, group b on tuesdays and thursdays, ect. If it's not food, they usually ask that you give up something important to you, like for some kids it could be the tv, game systems, sodas, almost anything. I would contact the church for myself before forming any strong opinions. Good luck

Answer 7

Growing children, underfed people, malnourished people, the pregnant, and many elderly people should not fast in most instances.

A seven day fast should only be done with the aid of a physician. Generally you shouldn't go more than 4 days (water only), without supervision. There are safer ways, but contact your doctor. They can tell you about salt and whatnot to do long fasts (So you don't pass out).

Answer 8

Is the pastor also a doctor? Kids that age shouldn't fast. Maybe it's only from sun up to sun down? That's not so bad. But no food at all for a week is a bit much.

Answer 9

I SAW A TV REPORT ON SURVIVAL WHICH EXPLAINED HOW LONG IT IS SAFE TO DO WITHOUT.
IT'S CALLED THE RULE OF 3's. THREE WEEKS W/O ANY FOOD, THREE DAYS W/O ANY WATER, AND THREE HOURS W/O HEAT IN WINTER.
THERE ARE OF COURSE CASES OF SOME THAT HAVE BEATEN THE ODDS, BUT CHILDREN MUST NOT BE SUBJECTED TO SUCH A STANDARD.
SUCH A PASTOR DOES NOT HAVE ANY UNDERSTANDING OF HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY AND CAN'T POSSIBLY BE EXPECTED TO KNOW WHAT POTENTIAL FOR HEALTH PROBLEMS HE IS CAUSING.

Answer 10

Yes, it's unhealthy. Over time, their metabolism will slow down too so they will actually GAIN weight easily once they start eating again. But it's hard to convince hardcore religious ppl not to fast.