EFFECT OF RAMADAN FASTING ON ANTHROPOMETRIC PARAMETERS
Perveen Akhter, *Aradhna Sharma, Tarun Sharma and Anita Bodh
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Fasting during Ramadan, the holiest month in Islamic calendar, is one of the five pillars of Islam.[4] Ramadan is the ninth month in the lunar Islamic calendar and lasts for 29-30 days. It is mandatory for all adult individuals of the Islamic faith to fast during the holy month of Ramadan. During this period, healthy Muslims do not eat or drink (i.e., total abstinence from food and fluids) and refrain from tobacco daily from pre-dawn until dusk. Methods: The effects of Ramadan fasting on weight, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were studied on healthy adult male muslim volunteers. All the parameters were recorded one week before the month of Ramadan and then in the last week of Ramadan and compared. Results: Body weight and BMI did not show any statistically significant effect, whereas waist circumference was significantly decreased. Conclusion: Our study showed that Ramadan fasting is beneficial as there is significant decrease in waist circumference.
Keywords: Ramadan, Anthopometry, Fasting.
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