TY - JOUR
T1 - Effect of fasting in Ramadan on body composition and nutritional intake
T2 - A prospective study
AU - Norouzy, A.
AU - Salehi, M.
AU - Philippou, E.
AU - Arabi, H.
AU - Shiva, F.
AU - Mehrnoosh, S.
AU - Mohajeri, S. M R
AU - Mohajeri, S. A Reza
AU - Motaghedi Larijani, A.
AU - Nematy, M.
PY - 2013
Y1 - 2013
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - Anthropometry
KW - Bioelectrical impedance analysis
KW - Body composition
KW - Nutritional assessment
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84879553267&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/jhn.12042
DO - 10.1111/jhn.12042
M3 - Article
C2 - 23679071
AN - SCOPUS:84879553267
SN - 0952-3871
VL - 26
SP - 97
EP - 104
JO - Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics
JF - Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics
IS - SUPPL.1
ER -