Effect of Ramadan Fasting on the Nutritional Status of Newborn

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Authors

  • Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore-641043 ,IN
  • Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore-641043 ,IN

Abstract

Fasting is voluntarily not eating food for varying lengths of time. Fasting is thought to be beneficial as a preventive measure to increase overall health, vitality and resistance to disease, used as a method of mental and spiritual rejuvenation and is being observed by all major religions in the world. In Islam, fasting for one month is an obligatory practice during the holy month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Every day, during the month of Ramadan, Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. According to Islamic laws, children below the age of 12, patients, travellers, pregnant women, women who are menstruating and lactating mothers are exempted from fasting. Though pregnant women are an exception, many pregnant women prefer to fast during Ramadan.