Guja, Habtamu (2016) Assessment of the Effects of Ethiopian Orthodox Christians Fasting on Biochemical Risk Factors and Anthropometric Measurements. Masters thesis, Addis Ababa University.
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Abstract
Background: As in many developing countries, the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in Ethiopia has been increasing dramatically. Unhealthy changes in the dietary patter are among the responsible factors for the rise. Religious beliefs play a significant part in shaping those behaviors; however, there is no study conducted on the role Ethiopian Orthodox Christians’ fasting practice in relation to biochemical indicators for CVD risk factors and anthropometric indices. Objective: To assess the effects of Ethiopian Orthodox Christians’ Easter fasting on the anthropometric indices and biochemical risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Methodology: Before and after study design having controls was used among 88 voluntarily selected participants from eligible population and followed over Easter fasting period in two groups; those who fast (fasting group) and do not fast (control group). Participants were measured for serum lipid profiles and anthropometric indices before the beginning and at the end of Easter fasting. Paired t-test was used for comparison of baseline and endline measurements in each group. Besides, independent sample t-test was used for comparison of differences between groups. Results: In comparison to controls, fasters showed significant mean reduction at the end of fasting; 11% in total cholesterol, 20% in LDL-C, 11% in TG, 21% in LDL/HDL ratio, 12% in TC/HDL ratio, and 7% in blood glucose concentrations. Similarly, significant reductions in the anthropometric measurements were observed (p < 0.001); 2% in body weight, BMI and waist to hip ratio whereas, waist circumference was reduced by 3%. However, there was no statistically significant change observed in lipid profiles among control group. Conclusion: Periodic abstinence from animal source foods during the Ethiopian Orthodox Christians’ Easter fasting period and shifts to calorie restricted vegetarians’ diet style by fasters in this study attributed to the observed biochemical and body measurement changes highlighting that religious fasting has a substantial impact on health-related dietary behaviors.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GN Anthropology H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD61 Risk Management Q Science > QD Chemistry Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine |
| Divisions: | Africana |
| Depositing User: | Emmanuel Ndorimana |
| Date Deposited: | 30 Jun 2018 10:31 |
| Last Modified: | 30 Jun 2018 10:31 |
| URI: | http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/6331 |
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