Considering intermittent fasting among Saudis: insights into practices

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Public Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Limited research exists on intermittent fasting (IF) practices in Saudi Arabia beyond Ramadan.
• Understanding IF adoption outside religious periods is crucial for public health initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and describe the patterns of intermittent fasting (IF) among the Saudi population outside of the month of Ramadan.
• To identify common IF methods, goals, and perceived health impacts.

Main Methods:

• A web-based survey was employed to gather data on IF practices.
• The survey focused on IF application usage, goal setting, and self-reported health effects.

Main Results:

• 58% of respondents practiced IF for less than 3 months, with the 16/8 pattern being most common (43.8%).
• Weight loss averaged less than 2.2kg for 35% of participants, with weight reduction as the primary goal for 44.9%.
• Most participants (84.6%) did not use IF applications, and 88.3% consumed fluids during fasting periods.

Conclusions:

• Intermittent fasting (IF) practices in Saudi Arabia extend beyond Ramadan, indicating a potential avenue for health interventions.
• Findings are preliminary but suggest IF is a relevant behavior for Saudi health professionals addressing obesity and public health concerns.