Association of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Christian fasting on appetite hormones and insulin sensitivity in type-II diabetes and healthy subjects in Ethiopia
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Energy restriction, time-restricted feeding, and vegetarian diet intake each have been linked independently to positive health effects. However, little is known about the religious fasts practiced by Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Christians (EOTC) fasting, which combine energy restriction, time-restricted feeding, and vegetarian diet consumption. Method: This longitudinal study compared the effects of EOTC fasting on appetite hormones, insulin sensitivity, and β-cell function. The fasting cohort comprised both individuals with diabetes and healthy individuals, and was compared against a non-fasting cohort that also included both individuals with diabetes and healthy individuals. We employed pretested structured questionnaire to collect information on fasting patterns, physical activity, and sociodemographic traits. Body weight was measured using an adult digital electronic scale (ASTO), and hormone activity was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analyzer. Results: EOTC fast significantly lower serum level of appetite hormones like glucagon (p < 0.0001, p = 0.001), leptin (p = 0.002, p = 0.046) in both type-II diabetes and healthy subjects respectively compared to non-fasting. Insulin increased significantly (p = 0.002) in people with diabetes while decreased (p = 0.003) in healthy subjects. The concentration of ghrelin (p = 0.030) increased significantly in type-II diabetes but insignificantly (p = 0.135) in healthy subjects when compared to non-fasting. Both fasting people with diabetes and healthy subjects showed significant (p = 0.03, 0.010) improvements in insulin sensitivity and β-cell function respectively. Conclusion: Concurrent vegetarian diet and energy restriction practiced among EOTC fasting may improve body weight managements. EOTC fasting improves activities of appetite hormones, increase insulin sensitivity and β-cell function (HOMA-IR) in both people with diabetes and healthy subjects. EOTC fasting practice represents a promising, culturally-accepted, non-pharmacological strategy for diabetes prevention and management.
Source: Obesity Pillars
Authors: Alemayehu Michael, Kaleab Baye
Institutions: Hawassa University, Addis Ababa University
Language: English
Topic: Dietary Effects on Health
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,400
Funder: Addis Ababa University
OpenAlex ID: W4416399581