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2013-05-23, 19:37
Effect of fasting in Ramadan on body composition and nutritional intake: A prospective study.
Abstract:
Background:
The present study aimed to assess the effects of Ramadan intermittent fasting on body weight and composition and the effects of age and sex.
Methods:
Body weight, height, waist and hip circumferences were measured, body mass index (BMI) was calculated and fat mass, fat-free mass and percentage body fat were assessed by bioelectrical impedance on 240 adult subjects (male: 158) who fasted between sunrise and sunset for at least 20*days. Measurements were taken 1*week before and 1*week after Ramadan. Energy and macronutrient intakes were assessed using a 3-day food frequency questionnaire on a sub-sample of subjects before and during Ramadan.
Results:
Subjects were grouped according to age and sex: ≤35*years (n*=*82, males: 31) and 36–70*years (n*=*158, males: 127). There were significant reductions in weight and BMI (P*<*0.001) in almost all subjects, with the biggest being in males ≤35*years [−2.2% (SE 2.2%), P*<*0.001]. Waist and hip circumferences fell in most subjects, except females aged 36–70*years. Fat mass fell in most subjects, ranging from 2.3% to 4.3% from baseline, except in females aged 36–70*years who did not experience a significant change. Fat-free mass was significantly reduced in all subjects (P*<*0.001), whereas percentage body fat was lower only in males by 2.5% (SE 3.2%) (P*=*0.029) in those aged ≤35*years and by 1.1% (SE 1.5%) (P*<*0.001) in those aged 36–70*years. Dietary intake was similar before and during Ramadan, except in males whose protein intake fell during Ramadan (P*=*0.032).
Conclusions:
Ramadan fasting leads to weight loss and fat-free mass reductions. Body composition changes vary depending on age and sex.
Journal of human nutrition and dietetics May 17 2013
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jhn.12042/abstract
Abstract:
Background:
The present study aimed to assess the effects of Ramadan intermittent fasting on body weight and composition and the effects of age and sex.
Methods:
Body weight, height, waist and hip circumferences were measured, body mass index (BMI) was calculated and fat mass, fat-free mass and percentage body fat were assessed by bioelectrical impedance on 240 adult subjects (male: 158) who fasted between sunrise and sunset for at least 20*days. Measurements were taken 1*week before and 1*week after Ramadan. Energy and macronutrient intakes were assessed using a 3-day food frequency questionnaire on a sub-sample of subjects before and during Ramadan.
Results:
Subjects were grouped according to age and sex: ≤35*years (n*=*82, males: 31) and 36–70*years (n*=*158, males: 127). There were significant reductions in weight and BMI (P*<*0.001) in almost all subjects, with the biggest being in males ≤35*years [−2.2% (SE 2.2%), P*<*0.001]. Waist and hip circumferences fell in most subjects, except females aged 36–70*years. Fat mass fell in most subjects, ranging from 2.3% to 4.3% from baseline, except in females aged 36–70*years who did not experience a significant change. Fat-free mass was significantly reduced in all subjects (P*<*0.001), whereas percentage body fat was lower only in males by 2.5% (SE 3.2%) (P*=*0.029) in those aged ≤35*years and by 1.1% (SE 1.5%) (P*<*0.001) in those aged 36–70*years. Dietary intake was similar before and during Ramadan, except in males whose protein intake fell during Ramadan (P*=*0.032).
Conclusions:
Ramadan fasting leads to weight loss and fat-free mass reductions. Body composition changes vary depending on age and sex.
Journal of human nutrition and dietetics May 17 2013
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jhn.12042/abstract