JEDDAH: For the third year in a row, 10-year-old Rahaf is struggling to fast because she is obese and feels faint when fasting, according to her mother, who spoke to a local publication.
According to her mother, Rahaf has been trying to fast for three years, but can’t as her medical reports states that “obesity is a obstacle for fasting.”
“My daughter tried to fast when she was in second grade, but couldn’t. After only few hours of fasting, she feels hungry shows strange symptoms such as sever fatigue and dizziness. The doctors assured me that children with obesity are prohibited from fasting,” explained the mother.
Dr. Moussa Sarhan, a gastrointestinal endoscopy surgeon, said that obesity has become a widespread phenomenon.
“I blame mothers in the first place for letting their children eat unhealthy foods. Healthy eating habits can overcome the pathological condition resulting from a genetic defect,” he said.
“Parents are the first to be blamed for childhood obesity, which leads to their inability to fast. Such children are used to eating all day long either at home or in restaurants, and it is very difficult to change such habits overnight when the holy month comes.
“We receive dozens of children suffering from the same symptoms, aged between 11 and 12 years, experiencing unusual hunger levels and cravings for food ,” he said.
“Mothers tend to calm their children or distract them by offering food, treats and candies. “This is absolutely unacceptable on both the social and religious levels,” he added.
According to her mother, Rahaf has been trying to fast for three years, but can’t as her medical reports states that “obesity is a obstacle for fasting.”
“My daughter tried to fast when she was in second grade, but couldn’t. After only few hours of fasting, she feels hungry shows strange symptoms such as sever fatigue and dizziness. The doctors assured me that children with obesity are prohibited from fasting,” explained the mother.
Dr. Moussa Sarhan, a gastrointestinal endoscopy surgeon, said that obesity has become a widespread phenomenon.
“I blame mothers in the first place for letting their children eat unhealthy foods. Healthy eating habits can overcome the pathological condition resulting from a genetic defect,” he said.
“Parents are the first to be blamed for childhood obesity, which leads to their inability to fast. Such children are used to eating all day long either at home or in restaurants, and it is very difficult to change such habits overnight when the holy month comes.
“We receive dozens of children suffering from the same symptoms, aged between 11 and 12 years, experiencing unusual hunger levels and cravings for food ,” he said.
“Mothers tend to calm their children or distract them by offering food, treats and candies. “This is absolutely unacceptable on both the social and religious levels,” he added.
