Do Ramadan fasting restrictions alter eating behaviours?
During Ramadan month, Muslims should refrain from drinking, eating and smoking from dawn to sunset. Ramadan fasting can be considered as a kind of dietary restriction. Eating restriction is a risk factor for later development of eating disorders. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether Ramadan fasting changes the eating behaviours of young people, especially girls who are known as the most vulnerable group for eating disorders. Our sample consisted of 79 healthy volunteers from a high school (63 females; mean age = 16.29; 16 males; mean age = 16.31) who fasted during the Ramadan month. No statistically significant differences were found between the scores of EAT (Eating Attitude Test) and BITE (Bulimic Investigatory Test, Edinburgh) which were administered within the weeks before and after Ramadan. According to our results Ramadan fasting restrictions do not seem to change the eating behaviours of young girls and boys.
Erol
Atila
A
Osmangazi Universitesi Tip Fakultesi, Psikiyatri A.D., Eskisehir, Turkey. erolatila@gmail.com
Baylan
Gonul
G
Yazici
Fadime
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D001827:Body Height; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D005215:Fasting / Q000523:psychology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006693:Holidays / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007514:Islam / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012650:Self Disclosure; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology