Nutritional Education Needs in Relation to Ramadan Fasting and Its Complications in Tehran, Iran
نویسندگان
1 Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
2 Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
3 Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
4 Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
5 Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
6 Diabetes Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
7 Diabetes Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
doi
چکیده
Ramadan fasting is associated with some lifestyle changes. A lack of nutritional needs knowledge or the improperperformance of fasting, particularly in relation to time, type and amount of food intake, can cause disorders such as indigestion,bloating, constipation, headaches and other clinical problems.Objectives: To investigate the general knowledge regarding dietary factors associated with Ramadan fasting and its related complications.PatientsandMethods: This prospective, non-interventional, observational study was conducted from April to July, 2012 to coincidewith the month before and the month of Ramadan. The initial participants were 600 fasting and 588 non-fasting people (aged 18 -65 years, BMI 18.5 - 40 kg/m2) chosen by random cluster sampling in Tehran, Iran. A questionnaire of Ramadan fasting nutritionalknowledge was developed and validated in a pilot study. The Likert scale was used two weeks before Ramadan and during the thirdand fourth weeks of Ramadan to estimate Ramadan-related complications. Seven-day, 24 - hour food recalls were used to assess foodintakes.Results: The lowest level of general knowledge was identified in the context of foods associated with hunger (22.1%) and hypoglycemia(24.8%) and the highest level of general knowledge was identified in reference to unsuitable foods for Sahar (91.4%). DuringRamadan, all attributed complications increased in fasting subjects (P < 0.001). High calorie, carbohydrate, fat and protein intakesin the Ramadan diet were associated with some gastrointestinal and sleep complications (P < 0.05).Conclusions: Despite the relatively high level of knowledge in the context of the general principles of a diet to prevent Ramadanrelatedcomplications, practical training in regard to the amounts of nutrients associated with Ramadan-related complications isboth necessary and recommended.
