The impact of Ramadan intermittent fasting on anthropometric measurements and body composition: Evidence from LORANS study and a meta-analysis

BackgroundAlthough the effect of Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF) on anthropometry and body composition has been questioned, none of the previous studies tried to explain the reported changes in these parameters. Also, systematic reviews that investigated the topic were limited to healthy individuals or a specific disease group.MethodsThe London Ramadan Study (LORANS) is an observational study on health effects of RIF. We measured weight, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), basal metabolic rate (BMR), fat percentage (FP), free-fat mass (FFM), extremities predicted muscle mass, total body water (TBW), trunk FM, trunk FFM and trunk predicted muscle mass before and immediately after Ramadan. Using mixed-effects regression models, we investigated the effect of RIF with adjustment for potential confounders. We also conducted a meta-analysis of the results of LORANS with other studies that investigated the effect of RIF on anthropometry and body composition. The review protocol is registered with PROSPERO registry (CRD42020186532).ResultsWe recruited 146 participants (Mean ± SD age = 43.3 ± 15 years). Immediately after Ramadan, compared with before Ramadan, the mean difference was−1.6 kg (P<0.01) in weight,−1.95cm (P<0.01) in WC,−2.86cm (P <0.01) in HC, −0.60 kg/m2 (P < 0.01) in BMI and −1.24 kg (P < 0.01) in FM. In the systematic review and meta-analysis, after screening 2,150 titles and abstracts, 66 studies comprising 7,611 participants were included. In the general population, RIF was followed by a reduction of 1.12 Kg in body weight (−1.89– −0.36, I2 = 0), 0.74 kg/m2 reduction in BMI (−0.96– −0.53, I2 = 0), 1.54cm reduction in WC (−2.37– −0.71, I2 = 0) and 1.76cm reduction in HC (−2.69– −0.83, I2 = 0). The effect of fasting on anthropometric and body composition parameters starts to manifest in the second week of Ramadan and starts to diminish 3 weeks after Ramadan.ConclusionRIF is associated with a reduction in body weight, BMI, WC, HC, FM, FP and TBW. Most of these reductions are partially attributed to reduced FM and TBW. The reductions in these parameters appear to reverse after Ramadan

Dust Source Identification in the Middle East by Using Remote Sensing

A dust storm is a common phenomenon in many parts of the world, especially in arid and semiarid regions of the world. Dust storm adverse effects on the agriculture production and gardening, pollution of water and soil resources, a variety of respiratory diseases and the finally on the environmental issues, social challenges, a sharp reduction in horizontal visibility and road accidents. In this research, dust source identification in the Middle East with using MODIS satellite images was used in the period of time 2004-2014. For dust source identification 4 indices BTD3132، BTD2931، NDDI and D for 45 MODIS satellite images were calculated. Then with make a false-color combination (FCC) determined the best of a method dust source identification. The results showed that color combination BTD2931 ، B4 and B3 determined the best color combination for enhancement dust and dust source identification. The results showed that 212 points dust source identified in the case study that 123 points were in Iran and 93 Points in out of the country. The results also show that after Iran, Afghanistan has highest points dust source in the study area. The Middle East arid and semi-arid climates and precipitation in this area rarely exceed 300 mm per year As a result; this area has been poor vegetation cover and precipitation hardening and is susceptible to erosion

Applicator Attenuation Effect on Dose Calculations of Esophageal High-Dose Rate Brachytherapy Using EDR2 Film

Introduction Interaluminal brachytherapy is one of the important methods of esophageal cancer treatment. The effect of applicator attenuation is not considered in dose calculation method released by AAPM-TG43. In this study, the effect of High-Dose Rate (HDR) brachytherapy esophageal applicator on dose distribution was surveyed in HDR brachytherapy. Materials and Methods A cylindrical PMMA phantom was built in order to be inserted by various sizes of esophageal applicators. EDR2 films were placed at 33 mm from Ir-192 source and irradiated with 1.5 Gy after planning using treatment planning system for all applicators. Results The results of film dosimetry in reference point for 6, 8, 10, and 20 mm applicators were 1.54, 1.53, 1.48, and 1.50 Gy, respectively. The difference between practical and treatment planning system results was 0.023 Gy

The impact of Ramadan fasting on anthropometric measurements and body composition: evidence from London Ramadan Study and a meta-analysis

Background: Although the effect of Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF) on anthropometry and body composition has been questioned, none of the previous studies tried to explain the reported changes in these parameters. Also, systematic reviews that investigated the topic were limited to healthy individuals or a specific disease group. Methods: The London Ramadan Study (LORANS) is an observational study on health effects of RIF. We measured weight, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), basal metabolic rate (BMR), fat percentage (FP), free-fat mass (FFM), extremities predicted muscle mass, total body water (TBW), trunk FM, trunk FFM and trunk predicted muscle mass before and immediately after Ramadan. Using mixed-effects regression models, we investigated the effect of RIF with adjustment for potential confounders. We also conducted a meta-analysis of the results of LORANS with other studies that investigated the effect of RIF on anthropometry and body composition. The review protocol is registered with PROSPERO registry (CRD42020186532). Results: We recruited 146 participants (Mean ± SD age = 43.3 ± 15 years). Immediately after Ramadan, compared with before Ramadan, the mean difference was−1.6 kg (P<0.01) in weight,−1.95cm (P<0.01) in WC,−2.86cm (P <0.01) in HC, −0.60 kg/m2 (P < 0.01) in BMI and −1.24 kg (P < 0.01) in FM. In the systematic review and meta-analysis, after screening 2,150 titles and abstracts, 66 studies comprising 7,611 participants were included. In the general population, RIF was followed by a reduction of 1.12 Kg in body weight (−1.89– −0.36, I2 = 0), 0.74 kg/m2 reduction in BMI (−0.96– −0.53, I2 = 0), 1.54cm reduction in WC (−2.37– −0.71, I2 = 0) and 1.76cm reduction in HC (−2.69– −0.83, I2 = 0). The effect of fasting on anthropometric and body composition parameters starts to manifest in the second week of Ramadan and starts to diminish 3 weeks after Ramadan. Conclusion: RIF is associated with a reduction in body weight, BMI, WC, HC, FM, FP and TBW. Most of these reductions are partially attributed to reduced FM and TBW. The reductions in these parameters appear to reverse after Ramadan

Image_4_The impact of Ramadan intermittent fasting on anthropometric measurements and body composition: Evidence from LORANS study and a meta-analysis.JPEG

BackgroundAlthough the effect of Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF) on anthropometry and body composition has been questioned, none of the previous studies tried to explain the reported changes in these parameters. Also, systematic reviews that investigated the topic were limited to healthy individuals or a specific disease group.MethodsThe London Ramadan Study (LORANS) is an observational study on health effects of RIF. We measured weight, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), basal metabolic rate (BMR), fat percentage (FP), free-fat mass (FFM), extremities predicted muscle mass, total body water (TBW), trunk FM, trunk FFM and trunk predicted muscle mass before and immediately after Ramadan. Using mixed-effects regression models, we investigated the effect of RIF with adjustment for potential confounders. We also conducted a meta-analysis of the results of LORANS with other studies that investigated the effect of RIF on anthropometry and body composition. The review protocol is registered with PROSPERO registry (CRD42020186532).ResultsWe recruited 146 participants (Mean ± SD age = 43.3 ± 15 years). Immediately after Ramadan, compared with before Ramadan, the mean difference was−1.6 kg (P2 (P 2 = 0), 0.74 kg/m2 reduction in BMI (−0.96– −0.53, I2 = 0), 1.54cm reduction in WC (−2.37– −0.71, I2 = 0) and 1.76cm reduction in HC (−2.69– −0.83, I2 = 0). The effect of fasting on anthropometric and body composition parameters starts to manifest in the second week of Ramadan and starts to diminish 3 weeks after Ramadan.ConclusionRIF is associated with a reduction in body weight, BMI, WC, HC, FM, FP and TBW. Most of these reductions are partially attributed to reduced FM and TBW. The reductions in these parameters appear to reverse after Ramadan.</p