The Interplay between Metabolic Syndrome and Religious Fasting in Postmenopausal Women

Abstract

Religious fasting that involves abstinence from specific food(s) is part of many religions worldwide and has been gaining attention by the research community during the last years. The study aimed to investigate whether the periodic Christian Orthodox fasting mitigates the changes in body composition, dietary intake, and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in postmenopausal women. One hundred and thirty-four postmenopausal women aged 57.3 ± 6.7 years participated in this study. The Christian Orthodox fasting was followed by 68 postmenopausal women since their childhood, whereas 66 postmenopausal women were non-fasters. Data collection involved anthropometric, biochemical, clinical, and dietary information. Postmenopausal women who fasted according to Christian Orthodox Church recommendations had significantly higher mean fat free mass (45 vs. 44 kg, p = 0.002), hip circumference (104 vs. 99 cm, p = 0.001), and diastolic blood pressure (79 vs. 82 mmHg, p = 0.024). No other differences were found with regards to anthropometric data. Fasters also consumed significantly less fat (78 vs. 91 g, p = 0.006), as well as saturated (19 vs. 23 g, p = 0.015), monounsaturated (41 vs. 47 g, p = 0.018), and polyunsaturated fat (8.5 vs. 10 g, p = 0.023), trans fatty acids (0.5 vs. 2.3 g, p = 0.035), and cholesterol (132 vs. 176 g, p = 0.011). In terms of MetS features, non-fasters had more frequently elevated fasting blood glucose (11.8 vs. 24.2%, p = 0.039) and elevated blood pressure (13.2 vs. 36.4%, p = 0.041) compared with fasters. MetS was more common in non-fasters versus fasters with a marginal level of significance (30.3 vs. 23.5%, p = 0.052). Postmenopausal women who follow the Christian Orthodox fasting regime had lower fat intake, and no other difference in nutrient intake, compared with non-fasters. The latter were more likely to have MetS and some of its components. Overall, periodic abstinence from meat, dairy products, and eggs might play a protective role in postmenopausal women with regard to MetS.

Association of Christian Orthodox Fasting with Sociodemographic, Anthropometric and Lifestyle Factors and Serum Biochemical Indices: A Cross-Sectional Study on Patients with Metabolic Diseases

“…However, a recent cross-sectional study on 175 individuals aged >50 years showed no differences in anthropometric parameters among fasters and non-fasters, except for the hip circumference, with fasters having higher mean values than non-fasters [ 18 ]. Another study conducted on 134 postmenopausal women aged 57.3 ± 6.7 years demonstrated that postmenopausal female fasters had a significantly higher mean fat free mass, hip circumference and diastolic blood pressure, while no other differences were found with regards to their anthropometric data [ 55 ]. However, these discrepancies may be attributed to the fact that the study population was exclusively restricted to postmenopausal women [ 55 ].…”

“…Another study conducted on 134 postmenopausal women aged 57.3 ± 6.7 years demonstrated that postmenopausal female fasters had a significantly higher mean fat free mass, hip circumference and diastolic blood pressure, while no other differences were found with regards to their anthropometric data [ 55 ]. However, these discrepancies may be attributed to the fact that the study population was exclusively restricted to postmenopausal women [ 55 ].…”

Association between Dietary Patterns and Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study of Christian Orthodox Church Fasters and Non-Fasters in Greece

“…Data on clinical history, education, marital status, physical activity levels, sedentary time spending watching television and/or using the computer, time sleeping, smoking status, and alcohol consumption, among others, were collected via open-ended and closed questions. More details regarding data collection and measurements were already published [ 28 , 29 ].…”

“…As MetS remains a public health issue, the relationship of the Mediterranean diet, and more specifically, the COC recommendations along with its risk factors, needs further investigation. Up to date, a few studies focusing on the effects of COC on MetS risk factors have been carried out in Greece [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ], Africa [ 33 , 34 , 35 ], and the USA [ 36 , 37 ]. The initial aim of this study was to identify the dietary patterns followed by a COC fasting population and a non-fasting population in Greece, and secondly, to investigate any relationships between the dietary patterns and MetS risk factors and prevalence.…”

Consumption of Ultra-Processed Food and Drink Products in a Greek Christian Orthodox Church Fasting Population

“…Individuals who fasted regularly since their childhood, or for at least the last twelve consecutive years, formed the COC fasting group (n = 200, 131 women), whereas those who did not fast and/or follow any other restrictive dietary pattern, such as avoidance of wheat and/or lactose, formed the non-fasting group (n = 200, 126 women). More details about the inclusion/exclusion criteria and the study population have been described previously [25,26]. The protocol was approved by the Bioethics Committee of the Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki (∆Φ 31-5/5679, date 17 December 2013).…”