Vancouver Coastal Health is sounding an alarm about a trend among students who want to raise money for hungry children.
Every year thousands of students across Canada take part in the 30 Hour Famine, raising money and awareness about world hunger.
“We’ve been doing 30 Hour Famine since 1971 and we’ve actually not had any issues with students having any challenges with it,”said Cindy Mielke with World Vision Canada.
But issues are being raised about the practice of going without food for a cause. The Vancouver Coastal Health Authority is concerned teens, already vulnerable when it comes to body image, could springboard from the fast to other activities that lead to eating disorders.
“Some of the physical effects include, there is loss of muscle mass, your blood sugars are going low, so you can’t concentrate, some people get headaches when they’re fasting,” said Helen Yeung, Vancouver Coastal Health dietitian. “I think it would be simplistic to say this one day event is going to lead to an eating disorder.”
Students at Carson Graham Secondary in North Vancouver have participated in the 30 Hour Famine in the past, but received an email from the principal today saying:
“We are reviewing past practice and looking to implement the suggested alternative activities for hunger awareness.”
Mielke said there are many ways students can participate in the event. “You don’t have to just fast from food,” she said. “You can actually choose to fast from technology or from furniture for the 30 hours.”
Health officials are hopeful the next 24 or 30 Hour Famine will include alternatives to simply going without food.
– With files from Jill Bennett.
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