1Associate Professor, Medical Sociology, Department of Community Medicine, Subharti Medical College, Swami Vivekananda Subharti University, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
2Professor, Community Medicine, Department of Community Medicine, Subharti Medical College, Swami Vivekananda Subharti University, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
3Assistant Professor, Biostatistic, Department of Community Medicine, Subharti Medical College, Swami Vivekananda Subharti University, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
4Assistant Professor, Community Medicine, Department of Community Medicine, Subharti Medical College, Swami Vivekananda Subharti University, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
5Associate Professor, Community Medicine, Department of Community Medicine, Subharti Medical College, Swami Vivekananda Subharti University, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
*Corresponding author: Dr. Sartaj Ahmad Telephone: 09897093882, Email: sartajsaleem@gmail.com
Online published on 15 October, 2016.
All over the world Muslims, during Islamic month of Ramadan observe fast. In the month of Ramadan, healthy adults refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual intercourse during daylight hours.
The objective of this study was to explore the effects of Ramadan fasting on body weight (BMI) and blood pressure in healthy adult Muslim respondents who fast during Ramadan.
This is a prospective study in which 200 fasting Muslim healthy subjects both males and females in the age group <20->40 were included. Detailed history and anthropometric measurements was carried out in all the subjects, before Ramadan and thereafter, after Ramadan month.
Fasting caused not significant reduction in weight (BMI) in males as well as females. Neither systolic nor diastolic blood pressure changed significantly during Ramadan fasting.
Ramadan fasting is beneficial in a way. It is healthy non pharmacological means for improving cardiovascular risk factors. However, since many metabolic, biochemical, physiological, spiritual and psychological changes take place in body, we recommend large scale coordinated studies to throw more light on this topic.
Ramadan fasting, body weight, Body mass index, blood pressure
