By Masood Boomgaard
Poor dietary and lifestyle habits during Ramadan pose grave health risks to fasting Muslims, local doctors and dieticians have warned.
Night-time binge eating and consuming too much sugar and cholesterol-rich food may have a severe effect on the health of many Muslims observing the fast, health experts have warned.
"High incidences of diabetes and hypertension in the Muslim community are aggravated by bad diets during Ramadan," Dr Faisal Suleman said.
"Lots of people break their fast with oily savouries that cause high cholesterol. There is also a lack of exercise during the month."
Muslims have to abstain from food and drink from dawn to dusk during Ramadan. As a result, they tend to indulge in night-time feasts consisting of savouries and other rich delicacies.
Suleman said Muslims observing the fast slipped into a lifestyle pattern that put them at risk of ill health.
"Essentially, fasting people tend to eat three meals for the day. A meal is eaten in the morning, after which some of the people go to bed. The next meal is eaten at sunset, after which prayers are attended.
"When they return from the mosque, they usually consume another snack and then go to sleep again. It is a very unhealthy pattern that can only be rectified with the correct diet and exercise," said Suleman.
A report published in our sister newspaper The Star this week highlighted campaigns in predominantly Muslim countries of the Middle East where governments are working with the media to draw fasting citizens' attention to the risks of poor dietary habits and to promote a healthier lifestyle.
Campaign
In Jordan, where health officials have reported seeing a surge in heart attacks, strokes and indigestion and diabetes cases during Ramadan, public service TV adverts have warned Muslims observing the dawn-to-dusk fast not to overeat and to exercise and stay healthy.
The campaign in Jordan is headed by the nation's ruler, King Abdulla II, and his wife, Queen Rania, who often endorse their own exercise-filled lifestyles and healthy diets.
In Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, government and the media have also waged war on bad eating habits. Newspapers and television stations regularly promote healthy cooking and eating during Ramadan.
The challenge for campaigners is to lure Muslims away from their tradition of consuming oily snacks and sugary sweets at iftaar (when the fast is broken), a tradition still common among South African Muslims.
"During Ramadan, we find that people eat food rich in unsaturated fat, which is bad, because diabetes and heart disease are common in the community," said Fahmida Patel, a Laudium-based dietician.
"The high intake of fried foods is also problematic, along with a low intake of fibre. Ideally, there should be a shift in eating patterns to more wholegrain foods, fruit and vegetables and a high water intake."
But the news is not all bad - some experts have noted a recent shift away from bad Ramadan habits.
"In the past three years, there has been a change in eating habits in the Muslim community. With increasing incidences of high cholesterol and diabetes, people have become concerned about their health," said dietician Sadia Razak.
"Savouries traditionally eaten at iftaar are cut down in many homes and families are now choosing instead to consume full meals. There is also a change in cooking methods, with samoosas baked instead of fried. There is definitely greater awareness of cholesterol, diabetes and obesity."