INCREASED FAT OXIDATION DURING RAMADAN FASTING IN HEALTHY WOMEN - AN ADAPTATIVE MECHANISM FOR BODY-WEIGHT MAINTENANCE

Possible effects of Ramadan fasting on anthropometric and metabolic va riables were investigated in healthy Tunisian Moslem women. Total dail y energy intake remained unchanged whereas the qualitative components of nutrients were markedly affected. Neither body weight nor body comp osition were influenced by Ramadan fasting. Results also indicate the concomitant decrease of plasma insulin concentrations with respiratory and energy expenditure during Ramadan. The circadian evolution of nut rient oxidation rates was modified. Fat oxidation was increased and ca rbohydrate oxidation was decreased during the light span of the nycthe meron. Qualitative and quantitative circadian changes in feeding assoc iated with Ramadan might be counterbalanced by specific metabolic chan ges in order to preserve normal body weight and composition.