فهرست مطالب mozhdeh soleymanzadeh

The aim of this study was to assess public knowledge about the effects of Ramadan fasting on various aspects of health and its association with fasting decision-making. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 600 subjects. The association between fasting and participants’ knowledge and attitudes toward Ramadan fasting, anthropometric measurements, physical activity, depression, anxiety, stress, dietary intake, and prior history of diseases was evaluated. The results indicated an adverse correlation between negative attitudes towards the effects of Ramadan fasting and adherence to fasting (P<0.0001). The prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders was higher in the non-fasting group (P=0.002). No significant association was found between other investigated variables and fasting adherence. It seems that negative thinking about the effects of Ramadan fasting may be inversely associated with fasting decision-making. Therefore, evidence-based educational programs may improve public knowledge and encourage fasting among eligible people.

There has been no data on population based dietary patterns during the Ramadan fasting month. The purpose of this study was to detect Ramadan major dietary patterns among those who fast in Tehran. This cross-sectional study included 600 subjects, aged 18-65 with body mass index (BMI) of 18.5-40, who had decided to fast during Ramadan. Anthropometric measurements, usual physical activity level and educational status were collected two weeks before Ramadan. Information on Ramadan dietary intakes was obtained using a food frequency questionnaire and factor analysis was used to identify major dietary patterns. We identified four major dietary patterns: 1) Western-like pattern; high in fast foods, salty snacks, nuts, potato, fish, poultry, chocolates, juices; 2) high cholesterol and high sweet junk food pattern; high in pickles, sweets and condiments, butter and cream, canned fish, visceral meats and eggs; 3) Mediterranean-like pattern; high in vegetables, olive oil, dates, dairy, dried fruits, fruits, red meats, tea and coffee and 4) Ramadan-style pattern; large consumption of Halim, soups, porridges, legumes and whole grains, soft drinks, Zoolbia and Bamieh. Age was positively and inversely associated with Mediterranean-like (P = 0.003; r = 0.17) and Ramadan style (P = 0.1; r = -0.13) dietary pattern, respectively. Pre-Ramadan physical activity level was associated with a Mediterranean-like dietary pattern (P < 0.0001; r = 0.20). This study showed a Ramadan-specific dietary pattern has unique characteristics, which has not yet been identified as a model of dietary pattern. Also, among identified dietary patterns, Mediterranean-like was the healthiest.

Fasting in diabetic patients is accompanied by various changes in metabolism, lifestyle and medication. Evaluation of diabetic patients’ knowledge in the field of fasting conditions, the fasting-induced changes, complications, and ways to deal with them, is the first step towards efficient and effective diabetes self-management training in Ramadan fasting. The purpose of this study was to design a valid and reliable questionnaire on fasting knowledge of diabetic patients and evaluate the knowledge and determinant factors in diabetic patients. In this study a questionnaire on diabetic patient’s awareness was designed in 5 sections: 1- fasting conditions in patients with diabetes (fasting status of diabetic patients), 2- drug use, 3- controlling of blood glucose, 4- physical activity and 5- diabetic diet in Ramadan. Validity and reliability (Cronbach's alpha coefficient=0.79) of the questionnaire was confirmed. In a cross-sectional study, the fasting knowledge of 200 diabetic patients of Diabetes and Metabolic disorders clinic were examined, before Ramadan 2012. The association between the knowledge and patients’ age, sex, weight, diabetes duration, educational levels, Ramadan fasting group education, fasting blood sugar, HbA1c and type of diabetes were evaluated. The mean of total correct answers were 46% with the highest scores in dietary information (62.5%) and lowest in physical activity (18%) and drug use (23%). Significant positive association was found between total and each part scores with patients’ educational level. Also group of participating in the Ramadan fasting education study and group of non- participating, showed significant difference in response to questions. Findings of this study revealed (indicated) poor fasting knowledge in diabetic patients. Educational programs before Ramadan can increase awareness and could improve self-management of diabetic patients during Ramadan fasting and decrease complications.