Effect of Ramadan Fasting on Sleeping Pattern and Nutritional Status of International Students at Nanjing- China

Falak Zeb; Muhammad Haider Zaman; Ihtisham ul Haq; Ijaz ul Haq; Saeed Ahmad

doi:10.37185/LnS.1.1.160

Falak Zeb Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
Muhammad Haider Zaman Nanjing Normal University, China
Ihtisham ul Haq Directorate General of Health, KPK
Ijaz ul Haq National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi
Saeed Ahmad National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37185/LnS.1.1.160

Keywords: Nutritional Status, Ramadan Fasting, Sleeping Pattern, Total Sleep Time.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect of Ramadan fasting (RF) on sleeping pattern, nutritional status and nutrient
intake of healthy international students.
Study Design: Cross sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at health centers of three universities i-e Nanjing
University of Science and Technology, Nanjing Agriculture University and School of Public Health Nanjing
Medical University, China in the month of May to June 2019.
Materials and Methods: A total 400 healthy male international students (18 to 38 years of age) from three
universities of Nanjing city, China were registered through written consent. Data on anthropometrics, body
composition, dietary intake, and physical activities were recorded through face to face interviews in a standard
questionnaire while sleeping pattern was assessed by using polysomnography (PSG) technique at two time
points (pre-fasting and post-fasting).
Results: The findings suggested non-significant difference between sleep latency (SL), sleep arousal (SA), and
total sleep time (TST) after fasting compared to baseline (pre-fasting). The mean routine activities time
(p=0.000) and walking (p=0.005) were significantly different before and after Ramadan. Mean values of hip
circumference (HC), % fat, body mass index (BMI) and basal metabolic rate (BMR) were also significantly
(p<0.05) changed. Moreover, after one month of RF, the nutritional status of the students was significantly
improved based on BMI and WC classifications. The macronutrients, selected vitamins and minerals intake at
pre-fasting was significantly (p<0.05) higher than post-fasting. There was a significant positive correlation of
dietary fat with body %fat, BMI and BMR; total energy with sleep arousal (SA); dietary fiber with total sleep time
(TST); vitamin A with sleep latency (SL), SA, BMI and BMR while vitamin D and E with SL and SA respectively.
Conclusion: Fasting in Ramadan fis not affecting the routine activities and sleeping pattern while regulating the
optimal nutritional status.