Voluntary fasting to control post-Ramadan weight gain among overweight and obese women

This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of an Islamic voluntary fasting intervention to control post-Ramadan weight gain. This study was conducted between July and November 2011. Two weight loss intervention programmes were developed and implemented among groups of overweight or obese Malay women living in the Malaysian cities of Putrajaya and Seremban: a standard programme promoting control of food intake according to national dietary guidelines [group B] and a faith-based programme promoting voluntary fasting in addition to the standard programme [group A]. Participants' dietary practices [i.e., voluntary fasting practices, frequency of fruit/vegetable consumption per week and quantity of carbohydrates/protein consumed per day], body mass index [BMI], blood pressure, fasting blood high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C] and total cholesterol [TC]:HDL-C ratio were assessed before Ramadan and three months post-Ramadan. Voluntary fasting practices increased only in group A [P <0.01]. Additionally, the quantity of protein/carbohydrates consumed per day, mean diastolic pressure and TC:HDL-C ratio decreased only in group A [P <0.01, 0.05, 0.02 and <0.01, respectively]. Frequency of fruit/vegetable consumption per week, as well as HDL-C levels, increased only in group A [P = 0.03 and <0.01, respectively]. Although changes in BMI between the groups was not significant [P =0.08], BMI decrease among participants in group A was significant [P <0.01]. Control of post-Ramadan weight gain was more evident in the faith-based intervention group. Healthcare providers should consider faith-based interventions to encourage weight loss during Ramadan and to prevent post-Ramadan weight gain among patients

effect of the Malaysian food guideline guidance on a group of overweight and obese women during Ramadan

To determine the effect of imparting knowledge of the Malaysian Food Guideline [MFG] on a group of overweight and obese women during Ramadan. This intervention study was conducted during the months of Ramadan 2011. A group of 84 Malay Muslim women with a body mass index [BMI] >/=25 kg/m[2] were recruited. Prior to Ramadan, the respondents were educated regarding MFG, and how to monitor and record their daily food intake in a food diary. Their quantity of food intake, BMI, blood pressure [BP], blood lipid profile, and fasting blood sugar [FBS] were measured before Ramadan as a baseline. Their quantity of food intake was then measured again in the third week, whereas their BMI, BP, blood lipid profile, and FBS were determined on the fourth week of Ramadan. At baseline, compared with the MFG recommendations, the intake of protein [107.5%], and milk and dairy products [133%] was higher, whereas the intake of carbohydrates [78.5%], and vegetables and fruits [44.4%] was lower. During Ramadan, carbohydrate intake, BMI, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol [HDL-C] and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol [LDL]-C [all p=0.000], triglyceride [p=0.005], and FBS [p=0.002] were reduced, but the TC/HDL-C ratio was increased [p=0.000]. A month-long Ramadan fast guided by the knowledge of MFG resulted in certain positive changes in this group of respondents. These changes can be a good start for health improvement, provided that they are followed-up after Ramadan