Food intake assessment before and during Ramadan in northern Algeria students

Objective: the Ramadan fast (RF) is practiced by millions of adult Muslims globally for a whole lunar month every year. Fasting is a common practice in different religious disciplines, including Islam, Christianity, Judaism and Hinduism. In Islam, the practice entails abstinence from eating and drinking between dawn and sunset. This study aimed to characterize food intake of undergraduate students (male and female) from M'Hamed Bougara University, Boumerdes, Algeria, observed before and during Ramadan. Methods: during a month before Ramadan and during the month of Ramadan, 120 undergraduate students (male and female) from M'Hamed Bougara University, Boumerdes, Algeria, completed 24-h dietary recalls. Dietary intake was studied using food groups as well as macro and micronutrients consumption. Results: significant differences in dietary intakes were observed before and during Ramadan in both sexes, with a significantly higher intake of cereals, milk, milk products and eggs in women compared to men before Ramadan, while men consume more vegetables, fish and oils during this period. During Ramadan in women there is a significant increase in cereals, vegetables and fruits and a significant decrease in milk and dairy products and eggs, while in men there is a significant increase in fruits, meat and oils, and a decrease in milk and eggs. Such differences in food groups intake were reflected in macro and micronutrients intakes including carbohydrates, saturated fats, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C and sodium. Conclusion: In summary, the findings of this study are that gender-specific variations persist, influencing dietary habits and micronutrient intake, suggesting diversity in Ramadan diets to address imbalances and promote healthier eating behavior among students.