The effects of Islamic Monday-Thursday fasting intervention on adults with metabolic syndrome: A quasi-experimental study

¹ Nutrition and Health Study Program, Sindang Kasih University, Majalengka 45411, Indonesia
² Center for Public Health and Nutrition Research, BRIN, Bogor 16122, Indonesia

¹ Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

Islamic Monday–Thursday fasting (IMTF) is a dietary approach that has been shown to reduce precursors of metabolic syndrome. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of IMTF in improving metabolic syndrome parameters. A total of 32 participants were included, comprising 16 individuals in the intervention group who practised IMTF combined with nutrition education, and 16 individuals in the control group who received nutrition education only. The intervention was conducted over an eight-week period. The results showed significant differences in waist circumference and HDL-C in the intervention group, while changes in diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and HDL-C were observed in the control group. Although several variables did not change significantly in either group, mean reductions were observed in waist circumference (−0.3 cm), blood pressure (−4.7/−5.2 mmHg), fasting blood glucose (−1.1 mg/dL), and LDL-C (−10.9 mg/dL). In the intervention group, mean changes were also noted in blood pressure (−4/−1.12 mmHg), fasting blood glucose (−1.6 mg/dL), total cholesterol (3.9 mg/dL), triglycerides (3.9 mg/dL), and LDL-C (−16.4 mg/dL).