Nigerian Muslim’s Perceptions of Changes in Diet, Weight, and Health Status during Ramadan: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study

Sahabi Kabir Sulaiman, Fatimah Isma’il Tsiga-Ahmed, MoezAlIslam E. Faris, Muhammad Sale Musa, Udoyen Abasi-okot Akpan, Abdullahi Muhammad Umar, Salisu Maiwada Abubakar, Kholoud K. Allaham, Taif Alyammahi, Munther A. Abdbuljalil, Syed Fahad Javaid () and Moien AB Khan ()
Additional contact information
Sahabi Kabir Sulaiman: Department of Internal Medicine, Yobe State University Teaching Hospital, Damaturu P.M.B 1047, Nigeria
Fatimah Isma’il Tsiga-Ahmed: Department of Community Medicine, Bayero University Kano/Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano P.M.B 3452, Nigeria
MoezAlIslam E. Faris: Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 26666, United Arab Emirates
Muhammad Sale Musa: Department of Internal Medicine, Yobe State University Teaching Hospital, Damaturu P.M.B 1047, Nigeria
Udoyen Abasi-okot Akpan: Department of Medicine, National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, 21018 Vinnytsia, Ukraine
Abdullahi Muhammad Umar: Department of Medicine, Federal College of Education, Kano P.M.B 01000, Nigeria
Salisu Maiwada Abubakar: Department of Biochemistry and Africa Centre of Excellence for Population Health and Policy, Bayero University, Kano P.M.B. 3011, Nigeria
Kholoud K. Allaham: Health and Wellness Research Group, Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
Taif Alyammahi: Health and Wellness Research Group, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
Munther A. Abdbuljalil: Health and Wellness Research Group, Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
Syed Fahad Javaid: Health and Wellness Research Group, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
Moien AB Khan: Health and Wellness Research Group, Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 21, 1-17

Abstract: The Islamic month of Ramadan is marked by fasting, when Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from dawn to sunset, which has an impact on their dietary habits. The study aimed to assess Nigerian Muslims’ dietary modifications during Ramadan and their related changes in body weight and health status. A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted among Nigerian adult Muslims. The survey assessed sociodemographic, dietary habits, eating behaviors, food choices, perceived weight changes, and health status. The logistic regression model was used to assess the predictors of weight change and perceived health status. There were 770 participants, 62.9% of whom were women, ranging in age from 18 to 60 years with a mean age of 27.7 ± 6.4 years. Fruits, palm dates, homemade foods, milk products, and vegetables were more frequently consumed. There were fewer energy drinks, pastries, salty snacks, and carbonated or sugared drinks consumed during Ramadan than before. Over half (54.6%, 95% CI: 51.0–58.9%) of the respondents lost weight during Ramadan, 37.0% (95% CI: 17.4–38.6%) maintained their weight and 8.4% (95% CI: 6.6–10.6%) gained weight during the month. Nearly all (97.3%, 95% CI: 95.8–98.3%) reported having good health during Ramadan, and 2.7% (95% CI: 1.7–4.1%) reported having a poorer health state during Ramadan. There was a significant weight loss and healthy dietary change associated with Ramadan fasting in Nigeria. Public health measures must be in place to impart such positive health behaviors so that such healthy habits continue throughout the year.

Keywords: eating habits; intermittent fasting; Nigeria; Ramadan fasting; sustainable development goals; COVID-19 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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