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 China Pharmaceutical University and School of Public Health Nanjing Medical University, China in the month of May and 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.

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

How to cite this: Zeb F, Zaman MH, Haq I, Haq I, Ahmed S.  Effect of Ramadan Fasting on Sleeping Pattern and Nutritional Status of International Students at Nanjing- China. Life and Science. 2021; 2(3): 97-106. doi: http://doi.org/10.37185/LnS.1.1.160