[Comparison of the calcium intake during and before Ramadan in Marrakesh, Morocco]

ABSTRACT

We studied the effect of Ramadan fasting on calcium intake in 2 groups of 500 healthy subjects from Marrakesh using the colloquial Arabic version of the Fardellone questionnaire. The first group was investigated 5 months before Ramadan and the second during Ramadan. No significant difference was observed between the 2 groups. However, comparison of the pre-Ramadan and Ramadan periods for each age group showed a significant increase in calcium intake in subjects over 60 years. During Ramadan, consumption of milk was significantly higher, while consumption of other dairy products was not different. Overall, no significant difference in calcium intake was noted between pre-Ramadan and Ramadan periods