The effect of Ramadan fasting on body weight, fasting blood sugar and lipid profile of normal healthy and non obese male medical college students in Tikrit city

Abstract

Background: Fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the five fundamental pillars of Islamic practices, mandatory for all healthy adult Muslims. In Ramadan, Muslim adults fastfrom sunrise to sunset and are required to refrain from oral intake of food, water, beverages, smoking and sexual intercourse. This type of fasting is defined as periodic food and water deprivation during day light hours with free access during the night for the duration of one month.The aim of the study is to The effect of Ramadan on body weight, fasting blood sugar and lipid profile of normal healthy none obese male medical college students in Tikrit city. Subjects and methods: A prospective study was carried out on thirty normal healthy male students aging between 20 to 22 years, in college of medicine-Tikrit university were participate in the present study. The volunteers were allowed to consume whatever they wanted & decrease fat intake in diet.The study was conducted in the month of Ramadan from beginning of May to 5th of June /2019. Average duration of the fast was about 13.5 hours & maximum temperature ranged from 25 to 35 C.Body weight was measured to the nearest 100gm. Fasting blood sugar and lipid profile were measured at beginning and the end of Ramadan and one hour before break fasting (one hour before sunset). Results: There were slight decrease in body weight and body mass index (BMI) at the end of Ramadan fasting as compare with beginning of Ramadan fasting. Also, in regard to blood parameters, there is no significant difference regarding blood glucose from at end of Ramadan as compare with the beginning of fasting. Also, there were significant reduction in serum TG, total cholesterol, LDL and VLDL at the end of Ramadan fasting as compare with beginning of Ramadan fasting. However, There was significant elevation in serm HDL at the end of Ramadan fasting as compare with beginning of Ramadan fasting.