Alsufyani Mashael, Alghamdi Alya, Fagieha Fatimah M, Syed Wajid, Samarkhandi Osama
Community and Mental Health Nursing Department, College of Nursing, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Master Students at Community and Mental Health Nursing Department, College of Nursing, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Med Sci Monit. 2025 Aug 30;31:e947580. doi: 10.12659/MSM.947580.
BACKGROUND Intermittent fasting (IF) has gained popularity as a weight loss strategy and is associated with managing metabolic diseases, such as diabetes and obesity. This study investigates the prevalence, characteristics, and health outcomes of IF among adults in Saudi Arabia. MATERIAL AND METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in Riyadh from February to May 2024, involving Saudi adults. Data were gathered through electronic questionnaires, using convenience sampling. The questionnaire included sections on demographics, IF status, chronic diseases, fasting patterns, health impacts, and motivations for IF. RESULTS The study found that 60.3% of participants practiced IF. The most common chronic conditions were obesity (11.5%), diabetes (9.7%), and heart disease (8.0%). Symptoms experienced during fasting included energy deficiency (18%), hunger (17.7%), and dizziness (17.7%). Among 109 participants, 33% practiced IF for less than a week, and 12.7% for more than 2 weeks. Notably, 17.7% followed a 12-h fasting pattern, while 15.0% adhered to a 16-h fasting schedule. Weight loss varied, with 11.5% losing less than 2 kg, 16.5% losing 3 kg, and 9% losing between 5 and 9.9 kg. The primary motivations for IF were weight loss (27.4%) and health improvement (26.5%). Additionally, 35.7% reported feeling better, and 22.7% experienced great health benefits after IF. CONCLUSIONS A significant number of individuals engage in IF, with diverse patterns and motivations. The study results showed meaningful weight loss and health improvements among participants, suggesting IF may offer beneficial health outcomes. These insights underscore the potential of IF as a viable strategy for health management in Saudi Arabia.
背景 间歇性禁食(IF)作为一种减肥策略已受到广泛关注,并且与糖尿病和肥胖症等代谢性疾病的管理相关。本研究调查了沙特阿拉伯成年人中间歇性禁食的流行情况、特点及健康结果。 材料与方法 2024年2月至5月在利雅得进行了一项横断面研究,研究对象为沙特成年人。采用便利抽样法通过电子问卷收集数据。问卷内容包括人口统计学、间歇性禁食状况慢性病、禁食模式、健康影响以及进行间歇性禁食的动机等部分。 结果 研究发现,60.3%的参与者进行间歇性禁食。最常见的慢性病是肥胖症(11.5%)、糖尿病(9.7%)和心脏病(8.0%)。禁食期间出现的症状包括能量不足(18%)、饥饿(17.7%)和头晕(17.7%)。在109名参与者中,33%进行间歇性禁食的时间不到一周,12.7%超过两周。值得注意的是,17.7%的人采用12小时禁食模式,而15.0%的人坚持16小时禁食计划。体重减轻情况各不相同,11.5%的人减重不到2千克,16.5%的人减重3千克,9%的人减重5至9.9千克。进行间歇性禁食的主要动机是减肥(27.4%)和改善健康(26.5%)。此外,35.7%的人表示感觉更好,22.7%的人在进行间歇性禁食后健康状况有很大改善。 结论 相当多的人进行间歇性禁食,模式和动机各不相同。研究结果表明参与者有显著的体重减轻和健康改善,这表明间歇性禁食可能带来有益的健康结果。这些见解凸显了间歇性禁食作为沙特阿拉伯一种可行的健康管理策略的潜力。
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