ABSTRACT

‘Ramadan’ is observed by the Muslims around the world, out of their religious belief, as a period when they fast all day and break fasting only after sun set. The Ramadan fasting, which can be viewed as alternate fasting owing to the nature of food intake during this time, stretches for 28 days. The food intake prior to sun rise is known as ‘sahour’ and that after sunset is called ‘iftar’. In view of intermittent fasting, the present work aims to study the food intake pattern among children, adults and elderly persons before and after Ramadan in the eastern part of India to evaluate the effect of Ramadan fasting on body weight and BMI, if any. Anthropometric measurements, body weight, height, BMI, Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) and Nutritional Survey were done before and after Ramadan fasting. All three age groups showed increase in body weight and BMI after one month of Ramadan fasting compared to the values of pre Ramadan control. Excess intake of fat, sugar and energy along with a sedentary work routine are the main factors identified as contributors toward such increase. The study also points out socio-economic status as an important determinant.

摘要

世界各地的穆斯林出于他们的宗教信仰，将“斋月”视为他们整天禁食，只有在太阳落山后才开始禁食的时期。由于在此期间食物摄入的性质，斋月禁食可以被视为交替禁食，持续 28 天。日出前的食物摄入量称为“sahour”，日落后的食物摄入量称为“iftar”。针对间歇性禁食，目前的工作旨在研究印度东部斋月前后儿童、成人和老年人的食物摄入模式，以评估斋月禁食对体重和 BMI 的影响（如果有的话）。在斋月禁食前后进行人体测量、体重、身高、BMI、中上臂围（MUAC）和营养调查。与斋月前对照的值相比，斋月禁食一个月后，所有三个年龄组的体重和 BMI 均有所增加。脂肪、糖和能量摄入过多以及久坐的工作习惯是导致这种增加的主要因素。该研究还指出，社会经济地位是一个重要的决定因素。