summary
Background: The fasting period of Ramadan requires special attention for diabetic patients in particular.
Aim: To determine the impacts of a nutritional education program before Ramadan fasting (RF) on dietary intake, anthropometry and body
composition.
Methods: This was an interventional and comparative study including 54 type 2 diabetic patients, recruited at the National Institute of Nutrition. The
patients were divided into two groups: an educated group who received a nutritional education session before Ramadan (n=26), and an uneducated
group who did not receive any education (n=28). Food survey, anthropometry and body composition measurements were conducted before and
after the month of Ramadan
Results: During RF, a significantly decrease in carbohydrate intake was observed in both educated and uneducated patients (∆=-4.1 vs. ∆=-6.25).
Lipid intake was increased significantly during RF for all patients. This increase was lower in patients receiving education compared to the other
group (3.4±7.43 vs. 5.25±5.7). During RF, a significant increase in protein, saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids intake was shown in the
uneducated group compared to educated group (respectively, ∆=1.19±2.30 vs. ∆ =1.06±7.10, ∆=3.40±7.43 vs. ∆=5.25±5.70 and ∆=2.23±5.60
vs. ∆=2.31±5.10). The weight loss was similar between the two groups of educated (-1.05 kg) and uneducated (-0.58 kg) patients. There was no
significant change in body composition during Ramadan in both groups of diabetics.
Conclusions: Nutritional education programs positively impact diabetic patients who prefer RF or insist to fast during Ramadan. These programs
must be provided to diabetics before Ramadan.