The Comparison between Anthropometry and Quality of Life among Middle-Aged Population in Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia.

Abstract

Ramadan fasting refers to 29 or 30 days of mandatory fasting practice among Muslims. Muslims fast from sunrise to dusk and abstain from various activities, including eating, drinking, sexual activity, smoking, and taking medication. Growing evidence showed the potential effect of Ramadhan fasting as one of strategies to reduce weight. However, limited studies investigated its effects on variables such as anthropometry and quality of life among middle-aged population. The aim of this study is to compare the anthropometry and quality of life before and during Ramadan among community-dwelling middle-aged population in the age range of 35 to 65 years old in Kuala Nerus, Terengganu. This prospective observational study was carried out from March 2023 to April 2023 involving 110 participants in Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia. Anthropometry measurement such as weight (kg), height (cm), body mass index (kg/m²), waist circumference (cm), body fat percentage (%), total muscle mass (kg), and total body water (%) was measured using a weighing scale, stadiometer, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and measuring tape respectively. Short Form 36 questionnaire (SF-36) was used to measure the level of quality of life among the participants. Findings showed significant reductions in weight (kg) (67.1±13.0 vs 69.8±13.3, p<0.001), body mass index (kg/m2) (26.1±4.4 vs27.6±4.5, p<0.001), waist circumference (cm) (91.2±15.1 vs 94.9±15.32, p<0.001), body fat percentage (%) (28.2±8.9 vs 30.1±8.78, p<0.001), and muscle mass (kg) (45.3±9.1 vs 45.9±9.4, p=0.016) during Ramadhan as compared to before Ramadhan. There were also significant improvements in various aspects of quality of life observed during Ramadan compared to before, including physical functioning (86.1±12.3 vs 79.1±15.1, p<0.001), physical health (80.8±20.9 vs 66.6±34.1, p<0.001), emotional problems (89.0±17.3 vs 75.4±31.7, p<0.001), social functioning (84.5±13.9 vs 73.9±15.5, p<0.001), pain (83.3±14.8 vs 70.2±18.7, p<0.001), general health (84.3±13.0 vs 70.4±17.8, p<0.001) and (79.7±8.4 vs 76.4±10.9, p=0.044). Correlational analysis found that higher total body water during Ramadan fasting was positive correlated with higher energy levels (p=0.015). This study’s limitation is that these findings confine to local population. Future studies should involve a larger population to understand better on the health benefits of Ramadan fasting.