Epidemiological study: chronotype and daytime sleepiness before and during Ramadan

Therapie. 1999 Sep-Oct;54(5):567-72.

Abstract

Few epidemiological data have been reported on the relation between Ramadan fasting, life habits (meal frequency, sleep habits) and daytime sleepiness during Ramadan. This paper presents the results of a detailed study of the chronotype and daytime sleepiness before and during Ramadan. It was conducted on a sample of 264 subjects aged between 20 and 30 years. Results have revealed a significant decrease in the meal frequency during Ramadan compared with the control period. Before Ramadan, the majority of subjects woke up between 6 and 7 a.m. and went to sleep between 10 and 11 p.m. however, during Ramadan fasting, they woke up after 8 a.m. and preferred to go to sleep later (after midnight). Chronotype as evaluated by the Horne and Ostberg scale was changed significantly during Ramadan: an increase of the evening type and a decrease in the morning type of subjects was observed. Daytime sleepiness as evaluated by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale was significantly increased.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arousal
  • Body Temperature Regulation
  • Circadian Rhythm / physiology*
  • Diet
  • Dietary Carbohydrates / administration & dosage
  • Dietary Fats / administration & dosage
  • Dietary Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Fatigue / epidemiology*
  • Fatigue / etiology
  • Feeding Behavior
  • Female
  • Food Deprivation
  • Habits
  • Humans
  • Islam*
  • Male
  • Morocco
  • Sleep Deprivation
  • Sleep*

Substances

  • Dietary Carbohydrates
  • Dietary Fats
  • Dietary Proteins