Effect of intermittent fasting on cardiovascular parameters of young adult offspring of hypertensive parents

Background: Offspring of hypertensive parents have been reported to have alteration on their sympathovagal balance and have exaggerated response to stressful conditions. Many Christians observe a period of fasting at the beginning of every year, which imposes some stress on their bodies. Objective: This study aims to investigate the effect of 21-day intermittent fasting on some cardiovascular parameters in offspring of hypertensive and normotensive parents. Materials and Methods: Eighty young adults (20­28 years) were divided into equal number of male and female offspring of hypertensive and normotensive parents based on questionnaire. Their body weight, height, waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR) were recorded 1 week before the fasting period began and then weekly for 3 weeks, in which they fasted. Results: The weight, BMI, and WC reduced during fasting, but the reductions were not significant (P > 0.05). The SBP and DBP were higher in male offspring of hypertensive parents than all other groups. SBP was also significantly (P < 0.05) higher in males than females before fast and during fast. Fasting significantly reduced the SBP in the male offspring of both hypertensive and normotensive parents. The HR reduced in the females during fast but increased from a lower level in males to a value not significantly different from prefasting level. Conclusion: Fasting reduces the high SBP and DBP in male offspring of hypertensive parents, which is beneficial to their cardiovascular system.

Les indicateurs de l'alimentation du nourrisson et du jeune enfant prédicteurs de la malnutrition chez les enfants 6-23 mois dans la zone de santé de Kapolowe, Haut-Katanga, R D Congo / NA

Introduction. L'étude visait évaluer les indicateurs de l'alimentation du nourrisson et du jeune enfant liés à l'état nutritionnel dans la zone de santé de Kapolowe, province du Haut Katanga avant les essais cliniques. Matériel et méthodes. Nous avons conduit une étude descriptive transversale dans la communauté auprès des 568 couples mère-enfant 6-23 mois évalués sur les indicateurs nutritionnels associés à la malnutrition. Résultats. L'allaitement maternel optimal était observé chez 10,7% des couples mère-enfant et l'alimentation complémentaire adéquate bénéficiée par 5,5% des enfants. Presque 25,6% des ménages utilisaient des toilettes améliorées, 98,8% des ménages buvaient l'eau des sources protégées et 12,1% des mères pratiquaient un minimum de lavage de mains. Le premier aliment complémentaire donné à la moitié des enfants (46%) était importé, mais 60,3 % des mères utilisaient le mélange farine de maïs + huile + sucre comme aliment de complément. La prévalence de la malnutrition aiguë, de la malnutrition chronique et de l'insuffisance pondérale était respectivement de 11,9%, 37% et 26,8%. La malnutrition aiguë était associée à l'occupation de la mère, au niveau socio-économique du ménage, à la Religion de la mère, à la consultation prénatale suivie par la mère, au Minimum de Diversité Alimentaire, à l'allaitement maternel non optimal, aux infections récurrentes et au faible poids de naissance. L'insuffisance pondérale était associée au sexe, à l'occupation de la mère, au niveau socio-économique, à la religion de la mère, au minimum de diversité alimentaire, à l'allaitement maternel non optimal, aux infections récurrentes et au faible poids de naissance. La malnutrition chronique était associée au sexe, au niveau socio-économique,

Introduction. The aim of the study was to assess infant and young child feeding indicators related to nutritional status in the Kapolowe health zone, Haut Katanga province prior to the clinical trials. Material and methods. We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study in the community among568 mother-child pairs 6-23 months of age assessed on nutritional indicators associated with malnutrition. Results. Optimal breastfeeding was observed in 10.7% of the mother-child pairs and adequate complementary feeding in 5.5%. Almost 25.6% of households used improved toilets, 98.8% of households drank water from protected springs and 12.1% of mothers practiced minimal hand washing,12.1% of mothers practiced minimal handwashing. The first supplementary food given to half of the children (46%) was imported food, but 60.3% of mothers used maize flour + oil + sugar as a complementary food. The prevalence of acute malnutrition, chronic malnutrition and under weight were 11.9%, 37% and26.8% respectively. Acute malnutrition was associated with the mother's occupation, household socio-economic level, mother's religion, prenatal consultation attended by the mother, minimum dietary diversity, non-optimal breastfeeding, recurrent infections, and low birth weigh. Underweight was associated with gender, maternal occupation, socio-economic level, maternal religion, minimum dietary diversity, non-optimal breastfeeding, recurrent infections and low birth weight. Chronic malnutrition was associated with gender, socio-economic level, minimum meal frequency, type of toilet used, non-optimal breastfeeding, recurrent infections, and low birth weight. Conclusion. The prevalence of malnutrition, in all its forms, is still very high and worrying among children aged 6-23 months. The feeding practices are predictors of it.

Preoperative fasting times: Prescribed and actual fasting times at Universitas Hospital Annex, Bloemfontein, South Africa

Background. Guidelines recommend a preoperative fasting period of 6 hours for solid food and 2 hours for clear fluids. Because of fixed meal times and imprecise operation starting times, patients often fast for an extended period of time.Objective. To investigate the prescribed preoperative fasting times, and the actual duration of fasting, compared with the internationally accepted fasting times for solid food and clear fluids.Methods. Patients (N=105) aged 14 - 60 years, who were scheduled for elective surgery in the morning session (list starting time 07h00), were included in this prospective study. On arrival in theatre, all patients were asked when they last ate and drank. Anaesthetic records were used to determine the prescribed fasting times and operation starting times. Results. For solids, patients were most frequently prescribed to start fasting from 22h00 to 00h00 (53.3% and 39.1%, respectively). No patient fasted <8 hours. The median duration of fasting was 14 hours and 45 minutes (range 9 hours and 45 minutes - 19 hours and 5 minutes). For fluids, patients were most frequently prescribed to start fasting from 05h00 (46.7%), 00h00 (27.6%) and 22h00 (7.6%). In practice, no patient ingested fluids after 22h30 or <9 hours preoperatively. The median fasting time for oral fluids was 13 hours and 25 minutes (range 9 hours and 37 minutes - 19 hours and 5 minutes).Conclusion. Most patients started fasting too early preoperatively, consequently withholding food and oral fluids for longer than recommended. An increased awareness regarding complications of unnecessarily long fasting times, and interventions to correct this problem, is required

Effects of Ramadan on Forensic Cases Presenting to Emergency Service

"The term ""forensic case"" is defined as disruption of physical and/or mental health of an individual due to external factors. Forensic cases are most frequently encountered in emergency services. Ramadan; the ninth month of Islamic calendar; is a month of fasting throughout which Muslims from all around the world worship by observing fasting. There are many studies focusing on the effects of fasting on health. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of Ramadan on forensic cases presenting to emergency service. "

Quantitative Reference Ranges for Fasting Profiles and Oral Glucose Tolerance Test for Healthy Adults in Metropolitan Region of Nairobi; Kenya

Purpose:To establish quantitative reference ranges for fasting profiles and oral glucose tolerance test for healthy adults in metropolitan region of Nairobi. Methods: A prospective study carried out on 871 healthy subjects from the metropolitan region of Kenya. Results: The fasting profile parameters investigated were fasting blood glucose (FBG); total cholesterol (TC) triglycerides (TG); high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC); low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) and TC/HDLC ratio. In addition; oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was also investigated. Eight hundred and seventy one (871) healthy study subjects were involved in the study. Established reference ranges were as follows: FBG (venous whole blood) (2.1 - 5.7) mmol/L; TC (2.9 - 6.4) mmol/L; TG (0.44- 2.44); HDL C (1.1 - 2.1) mmol/L; LDLC (1.1 - 4.3) mmol/L; TC/HDLC ratio (1.1 - 5.4). Established reference ranges for oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were as follows: baseline/fasting blood glucose capillary whole blood (3.2-5.4) mmol/L; half hour (4.7-8.9) mmol/L; one hour (4.4-9.8) mmol/L; one hour and half (4-8.1) mmol/L and two hours (3.4-7.2) mmol/L. Results for gender differences for the studied parameters were as follows: FBG (p=0.124); TC (p=0.205); TG (p=0.705) HDLC (p= 0.52); LDLC (p=0.417) and TC/HDLC ratio (p=0.359). On the other hand; the gender results for timed OGTT were as follows: 0 hour (p=0.123); half hour (p=0.479); one hour (p=0.412); one hour and half (p=0.596)) and two hours (p=0.630). Hence there were no gender disparities for the parameters in the studied adult Kenyan population. Conclusion: Since the established reference ranges are a reflection of the Kenyan adult population our clinical chemistry laboratory reports interpretations will henceforth be independent of what has been quoted in literature. Likewise effective diagnosis and management of glucose and lipids pathological disorders will be achieved by the use of established adult Kenyan reference ranges

Fasting of Ramadan in Peoples with Diabetes in Benghazi; Libya: an Exploratory Study

Background: The epidemiology of diabetes and Ramadan fasting was reported from many Muslim countries; but not from Libya. Methodology: We interviewed 493 consecutive diabetic patients at Benghazi Diabetes and Endocrine Center for the potential complications of fasting during Ramadan. Results: We found 70of diabetic patients completed the 30 days of Ramadan fasting. Hypo- and hyperglycemia was the most commonly reported complications especially during the first two weeks of Ramadan month. Conclusion: It seems majority of diabetic patients in Libya manage to fast during Ramadan month. Patient education and early planned adjustment of diabetic medication is needed to decrease the frequency of diabetic complication during Ramadan month