I've seen that too, not so much here abroad but more in Pakistan. Even grown ups would do nakhrey and quit eating. The worse part is that other family members would do everything to make them eat. If I were the family member, I wouldn't care. How long can one sit without eating? Eventually they will eat sooner or later.
Yeah, I have heard that people will eat chup chup kay , but pretend that they are still on bhook hartaal.