Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. Muslims abstain from all intakes of food, water, beverages and smoking from approximately one hour before sunrise till sunset, from 8 to 18 hours for 29-30 days. The period of fasting may vary depending on the geographical location of the country and the season of the year. During Ramadan fasting, the food frequency, quantity, sleeps duration at night, as well as exercise is reduced, and the consumption of food and liquids are mainly nocturnal. Food habits, during Ramadan and the proportion of macronutrients and energy consumption can differ, as well, quality of ingested nutrients and tendency to consume foods and drinks that are richer in carbohydrates than those consumed during other months of the year. Previous studies demonstrated that macronutrient and micronutrient intake during Ramadan are changed but some are not different compared with non- Ramadan period. In the recent years, several studies have examined the effects of fasting on health and disease. However, few studies have been conducted on healthy nutrition and dietary intake in fasting people. Al-Hourani et al. found that energy and macronutrients intake of 22 people did not change significantly during Ramadan fasting. Besides that, Ati et al. reported that energy macronutrient intake remained unchanged in fasting people. A study indicated that diet diversity and food consumption in Iranian fasting people were significantly different from the recommended values. It seems that reduction in each food group may diminish the dietary intake of some nutrients. Therefore, one of the aims of this study is to investigate the nutrient intake of fasting people with reference to Daily Values (DVs). Dietary habits and lifestyle are changed during Ramadan, consumption one large meal after sunset and one lighter meal before dawn is the most common practice. Special festive foods that are richer in fat, protein and sugar may be consumed more.

In Arabian Gulf countries during the month of Ramadan, Muslim people usually go for very high calorie food; they neither diet nor exercise and they sleep and work for less hours. Despite the large number of Muslims worldwide, there is lack of data on their food intake in Ramadan, to the best of our knowledge, we are not aware of any previous published reports on the effect of Ramadan fasting on the subject’s food intake in this region. Therefore, the present study was undertaken at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) to evaluate the effect of Ramadan fasting on dietary intake in diabetic and non-diabetic patients attending dietetics clinics at AL-Khor hospital in the state of Qatar. Nutrients intake was analyzed and compared the daily intake with DVs to determine the percentage of each nutrient. Body weight, height, waist, and hip circumferences were measured; Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Hip Ratio (WHR), and Waist Height Ratio (WHt.R) were calculated. Fat mass, fat-free mass, muscle mass and percentage body fat were assessed by body analyzer for fasted participants between sunrise and sunset for at least 20 days. Measurements were taken before, during and after Ramadan. Energy and macronutrient intakes were assessed using a 24 hour recall through face-to-face interview of participants in each stage.

With Regards,
Joseph Kent
Journal Manager
Journal of Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics