2008 Volume 25 Pages 100-107
Focusing on the changes on eating behavior and sleep pattern in Muslim, their adaptation to fasting in the daytime were examined any possibility to lead to adapt in our irregular life style.
Using self-administration questionnaires about body measurements and daily practices (life events and food habit), their changes were compared with before, during, and after Ramadan for Malaysian students who were divided into two, Muslim group and Non-Muslim group. <Research 1> Fasting started, calorie intake and amount of diet such as grain dishes, fish and meat and vegetables of Muslim male (MM) were decreased significantly during Ramadan, however in Muslim female (MF) only grain dishes was decreased significantly. Calorie intake from soft drinks by MM and MF was significantly increased. <Research 2> Sleeping hours of both of MM and MF was shortened significantly during fasting. 90 % of Muslim spent their fasting time with taking naps, 20 % of them did light exercise.
From their changes above and the way of spending the fasting time, it was suggested that effect on eating behavior and sleeps was different by sex. More analyzed and discussed, relations with timing of food intake and quality and quantity of food, alternation of sleepiness.
