Food & Nutrition

Arab Journal of Food & Nutrition
61. Effect of Ramadan Fasting on Eating Pattern, Energy and Nutrient Intake
and some Anthropometric Parameters for a Group of Jordanian Males (2003)
Ahmed Al-Hassan\ University of Jordan
Supervisor: Dr. Salma Khalil Tukan
The effect of Ramadan fasting on eating pattern, dietary intake and body weight
and fat were studied in 30 apparently healthy young Jordanian males aged 21-27 years.
Body weight was first measured at the day before Ramadan, the other measurements
were taken on the 15th and 29th of Ramadan, then at two weeks and four
weeks after the end of Ramadan.To determine body fat, skinfold thicknesses of biceps,
triceps, subscapular and suprailiac sites were measured at the day before Ramadan and
on the 29th day of the same month. Food intakes including meal frequency were
collected before and during Ramadan for three non-consecutive days including twoweek
days and one weekend day.
Body weight during Ramadan remained comparable with the weight before and
after Ramadan. Significant (P0.05) changes in percentage of body fat and skinfold thickness of biceps, triceps,
subscapular and suprailiac were observed due to Ramadan fasting. Mean daily energy
intake was 2572±379.4 kcal before and 2429.9±367.9 kcal during Ramadan, with a
non-significant (P>0.05) difference. Intakes of dietary protein and fat were similar
before and during Ramadan, but carbohydrate intake decreased significantly (P