Impact of Fasting during Ramadan on Daily Habits, Diet and Body Weight of individuals with diabetes: A sample of Saudi Arabia

Introduction: Many changes occur in Muslims’ lives during Ramadan that affect body weight, diet and calorie intake. This study investigated the impacts of fasting during Ramadan on the daily habits, diet, and weight of people with diabetes in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cohort study analyzed 104 Saudi individuals with diabetes (42 and 62 patients with type I and type II diabetes, respectively) aged ≥ 20 years who fasted a minimum of 15 days during Ramadan. The patients were seen twice per study period (before and during Ramadan). The patients’ demographic data was obtained, their average daily food intake was assessed, and anthropometric parameters were measured. Results: During Ramadan, 52% of patients with type I DM and 66% of patients with type II DM did not perform any physical activity compared to 37% and 42%, respectively, pre-Ramadan. A high percentage of patients slept during the daytime. A paired-sample T test analysis showed that during Ramadan, the calorie intake and carbohydrate intake increased significantly in patients with type II diabetes (p = 0.03). Protein intake remained unchanged, whereas fat consumption increased in patients with both types of diabetes (p = 0.03 and 0.04, respectively). In addition, there was a decrease in anthropometric parameters (statistically significant in patients with type II diabetes, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Ramadan fasting changed the dietary and daily habits of patients with diabetes in Saudi Arabia and had beneficial effects on weight, mainly in patients with type II DM.