Health experts offer guidance on the appropriate age for children to start fasting and how parents can keep them safe during Ramadan.
Dubai: A viral video featuring a doctor has sparked discussion on social media after a 7-year-old boy reportedly nearly died from low blood sugar while fasting all day.
According to reports, the child began fasting in the morning and went out to play around noon. He later collapsed and was rushed to the hospital, where doctors discovered his blood sugar had fallen below 70.
The incident has prompted an important question for families: At what age should children begin fasting, and how can it be done safely?
Is fasting obligatory for children?
Religious scholars emphasize that fasting during Ramadan is not mandatory for young children.
According to Islam Q&A, which offers guidance based on religious texts, fasting is not obligatory for children.
“The age at which parents should start teaching their children to fast is when the child is physically able to do so, which will vary depending on each child’s individual development,” the platform explains.
Similarly, Islam Stack Exchange, a website for scholarly discussions on Islam, noted that several factors determine when a child can start fasting.
“The appropriate age for a child to begin fasting depends on the child’s health, cultural context, customs, and other individual factors,” the platform explained.
What do doctors in the UAE say?
Paediatricians in the UAE emphasize that children’s health should always come first. Dr. Sparsh Pasi has warned that poor eating habits during Ramadan can create dietary gaps and nutrient deficiencies, potentially impacting a child’s growth and development.
“Children can fast during Ramadan as long as their parents closely monitor their eating habits. However, if a child has an underlying medical condition, it is recommended to consult a physician before allowing them to fast,” Dr. Sparsh Pasi stated on Mediclinic’s website.
“It’s best to start children’s fasting no earlier than nine years old, with the optimum age being between nine and 14 years for both boys and girls.”
Pasi also emphasized the importance of monitoring children throughout the holy month, paying close attention to energy levels and signs of fatigue.
Gradual approach
From a medical perspective, the appropriate age to begin fasting depends on a child’s overall health and physical development. Generally, healthy children may start fasting around 10 years of age, but they should never be forced to continue if they feel unable to do so.
Dr. Abeer Khayat has emphasized that readiness for fasting varies from child to child.
“If a child shows interest in fasting at a younger age, they can be encouraged to try. However, if the child has an illness or poor general health, parents should not allow it,” Khayat said on the American Hospital’s blog.
She also noted that by puberty, or around 15 years of age, children can fast like adults in accordance with their faith and beliefs.
Khayat highlighted that a child’s ability to fast is closely linked to their overall lifestyle and daily habits.
“It includes a healthy diet and eating habits, maintaining proper sleep hygiene, staying physically active, and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle throughout the year,” explained Dr. Abeer Khayat.
She added, “If parents are unsure about their child’s nutritional status, it is advisable to have them evaluated by a paediatrician before allowing the child to fast.”
How to introduce fasting to children
In an exclusive interview with Gulf News, Dr. Vishruti Singh, specialist paediatrician at Aster Clinic Bur Dubai, outlined four steps to help children gradually adapt to fasting:
- The half-day method: Start by letting children fast from breakfast until lunch, or from lunch until sunset. This helps them experience hunger safely without risking dehydration or low blood sugar.
- Weekend trials: Begin fasting on weekends or holidays first. This allows parents to closely monitor energy levels without the additional demands of a school day.
- Focus on fluid intake: Emphasize drinking water and consuming slow-release carbohydrates (like oats or whole grains) at suhoor to maintain energy throughout the fast.
- The practice fast: Encourage younger children to participate in Ramadan traditions, such as waking for suhoor or breaking fast at iftar, without fully abstaining from food and water. This helps foster a spiritual connection without physical risk.
“The transition to fasting should be a positive, gradual experience that builds confidence rather than causing physical distress,” Singh told
“Fasting should never compromise a child’s safety. If a child collapses or becomes unwell, the fast must be broken immediately. A balanced approach that is medically informed and spiritually supportive is always best,” advised Dr. Vishruti Singh.
“Fasting should never compromise a child’s safety. If a child collapses or becomes unwell, the fast must be broken immediately. A balanced approach that is medically informed and spiritually supportive is always best,” advised Dr. Vishruti Singh.
