Does religious fasting affect cognitive performance?

Mohd Yasin, Wardah and Khattak, Muhammad Muzaffar Ali Khan and Mamat, Nik Mazlan and Mohd Abu Bakar, Wan Azdie (2013) Does religious fasting affect cognitive performance? Nutrition & Food Science, 43 (5). pp. 483-489. ISSN 0034-6659

PDF (Does religious fasting affect cognitive performance) - Published Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (117kB) | Request a copy

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to assess the effect of religious fasting on the cognitive performance during the month of Ramadan among healthy fasting individuals. Design/methodology/approach – 30 students were recruited prior the month of Ramadan to compare their cognitive performance during and after fasting. The data on cognition score were collected in two phases during and after Ramadan on four occasions (two times in Ramadan and two times after Ramadan) using structured questionnaire. The level of cognition was assessed by using two approaches: mathematical problem solving and memory testing. Five questions of mathematical problem were given to the subjects and were different at each week. However, the level of difficulty was kept constant. The time and score were recorded for each respondent during and after fasting month. For the memory test, ten pictures of items of similar sizes were displayed for 30?seconds, and the subjects were asked to recall/list down the item shown in the pictures. The cognition scores were expressed as mean±SD, and repeated measures analysis test was used for differences in fasting and non-fasting days. Findings – As expected, during Ramadan meal frequency was lower and sleeping (nap) frequency was higher with shorter duration at night. The feeling of tiredness was higher compared to non-fasting days. The level of cognition score for was not different during Ramadan compared to non-fasting days. The result shows that the level of cognition is not affected in fasting. Originality/value – The research shows that the cognition is not affected in Ramadan fasting.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Additional Information:	5145/31756
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Performance, Cognition, Fasting, Ramadan, Religious
Subjects:	R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC321 Neuroscience. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry R Medicine > RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology > RM214 Diet therapy. Diet and dietectics in disease
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences > Department of Nutrition Sciences
Depositing User:	Dr Muhammad Muzaffar Ali Khan Khattak
Date Deposited:	02 Sep 2013 14:51
Last Modified:	02 Sep 2013 14:51
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/31756

Actions (login required)

View Item