Ramadan Fasting and Diabetes

The Effect of Ramadan fasting on certain anthropometric, clinical and biochemical parameters among type 2 diabetic subjects has been discussed in this book. Ninety two type 2 diabetic subjects (age 47±9 years, M±SD) selected from a tertiary care hospital of the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh, was studied 1-4 weeks before and 3-4 weeks of Ramadan. There was no significant difference between before Ramadan and during Ramadan values of BMI and waist-to-hip ratio. However, during Ramadan fasting serum glucose, fructosamine, total cholesterol and creatinine were significantly higher compared to before Ramadan values (p0.0001). Before Ramadan the duration of physical exercise was adequate in 30% subjects, but during Ramadan the corresponding value decreased to only 8% . Total energy expenditure of the subjects was significantly lower during Ramadan (2178.2±215.9) compared to before Ramadan value (2232.8±209.7, p0.0001). The data suggest that Ramadan fasting is associated with a deterioration of metabolic control in diabetic patients. Coordinated education and motivation program should be undertaken to increase energy expenditure by physical activity.

Autorentext

Presently a Lecturer in the Dept of Health Education & Health Promotion in the Bangladesh Institute of Health Sciences, Bangladesh. She has a M.Sc on Nutrition from the University of Dhaka and also has a MPH from the AIUB. Her main research interest includes nutritional and epidemiological studies related to diabetes and other metabolic disorders.