ASSESSMENT OF DIFFERENCES IN VITAMIN C INTAKE BEFORE AND DURING RAMADAN AMONG GENERAL POPULATION IN KARACHI

BACKGROUNDInconsistent data revealed on investigation of nutrient intake bydifferent populations of Muslims during Ramadan, particularly dueto the variations in dietary norms.OBJECTIVESThe purpose of this observational study was to find out the differenceof Vitamin C intake before and during Ramadan within differentage groups and genders.METHODSA prospective study was conducted to investigate Vitamin C intakeof subjects on two occasions: before and during Ramadan. A totalof 770 voluntary subjects (12–90 yrs.) were enrolled for the research.Informed consent form was obtained from each of the participantbefore the commencement of the study. A quantitative questionnairecum interview method was used to collect demographicdata, health characteristics and dietary intake data. Dietary datawas collected using a 24 hour dietary recall and Generic FoodPhotograph Atlas (GFP) while food items were recorded in codes.Standardized Recipes were used to assess the amount of Vitamin Cin each food consumed. Vitamin C intake was calculated with thehelp of the United States Department of Agriculture Food CompositionTable (USDA FCT) and Allama Iqbal Open University Food CompositionTable (AIOU FCT). Analysis was conducted usingPaired-T-Test and MANOVA using Statistical Package for SocialSciences (SPSS) Software, Version 16.RESULTSA significant increase was observed in the overall intake of VitaminC in the diet of participants during Ramadan (195.5% of beforeRamadan intake). Moreover, the results indicated that Vitamin Cconsumption was increased among both males and females (P =<0.05) and among heterogeneous aged subjects during Ramadan(P = <0.05).CONCLUSIONAdditional research is warranted to further elucidate the increasedintake of Vitamin C with regards of cultural differences.KEYWORDSVitamin C, Before Ramadan, Intake, Generic Food PhotographAtlas, During Ramadan, Karachi