OBJECTIVE: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death worldwide. Fasting is common in many religions and is associated with health benefits. This systematic review to compares the impact of different religious fasting practices, on risk of cardiometabolic diseases.
RESULTS: The search covered five databases following PRISMA guidelines to identify papers published in English from inception to March 2023 (updated January 2024). Inclusion criteria were healthy adults in observational studies, who engaged in religious fasting practices, studies were included where data on matched non-fasting individuals was available. Outcomes were systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), triglycerides, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc), and fasting plasma glucose levels. A meta-analysis was conducted, and the review was registered (CRD42022352197). Fourteen studies were met the inclusion criteria with ten studies data being suitable for meta-analysis, reporting on 755 adults participating in fasting practices and 661 non-fasting controls. Religious fasting was associated with a reduction in BMI (-0.40 kg/m2, 95% CI [-0.70, -0.10], p < 0.01). Observance of Ramadan fasting was associated with decreased systolic blood pressure (-3.83  mmHg, 95% CI [-7.44, -0.23], p = 0.04). The observance of Orthodox Christian fasting was associated with a reduction in TC (-0.52 mmoL/l, 95%CI [-0.64, -0.39], p < 0.01). No difference was found for the other outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS: This review found religious fasting practices which were associated with a reduction in some biomarkers of cardiometabolic diseases risk. Further research on other fasting practices is needed due to limited data.

BACKGROUND: Nutritional improvement through appropriate feeding practices is critical for young children\'s healthy growth and development. Even if children are exempted from fasting, their diets are influenced by the widespread fasting practices of their Orthodox Christian mothers. However, scientific evidence on a minimum acceptable diet (MAD) among children aged 6-23 months during the fasting period was limited. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the minimum acceptable diet and associated factors among children aged 6-23 months during the fasting period among Orthodox Christian mothers in Gondar city, Northwest Ethiopia.
METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted during the fasting season (Lent) from March 8, 20,121 to April 8, 2021. A total of 738 Orthodox Christian mothers with their children were selected by multistage sampling. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data among mothers to assess children\'s MAD status. The degree of association between independent and dependent variables was assessed by using an odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval. Those variables with a p-value of less than 0.05 in the multivariable analysis were considered as a significant factor for MAD among children aged 6-23 months. Data were presented using texts, tables and figures.
RESULTS: The overall prevalence of MAD among children aged 6-23 months was 19.4% (95% CI: 16.40%-22.20). Having household wealth index of rich and middle (AOR = 4.39, 95% CI: 2.26,8.50) and (AOR = 3.25, 95% CI: 1.69,6.22), respectively, children aged from 12-17 months (AOR = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.43,4.92) and 18-23 months (AOR = 5.39, 95% CI: 2.93,9.95) respectively, Children who lived with a family member who consumed any time without keeping the fasting time(AOR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.13,2.83) and mothers of young children who were married (AOR = 4.13, 95% CI: 1.29,13.23) have significant association with MAD.
CONCLUSIONS: The practice of minimum acceptable diet was inadequate. Age of child, wealth status, marital status, and presence of family member who fed without keeping fasting time were significantly associated factors for MAD among children aged 6-23 months. Advocacy for appropriate feeding practice and meeting the MAD for children aged 6-23 months during the fasting period should also be strengthened targeting the unmarried women and those with poor households and giving awareness for mothers in collaboration with the respective religious leaders is highly recommended.

As the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Orthodox Christians globally reacted to the possibility of contagion and risk in dialogue with theological positions about materials, their own long history which includes surviving previous pandemics and plagues, governmental and civil expectations and edicts, and pious - but often unofficial - understandings about protection and the sacrality of religious artefacts and the space of the temple. This article draws upon primary ethnographic research amongst Orthodox Christians in the UK, Serbia, Greece and Russia, as well as news articles about and primary ecclesiastical documents from Orthodox Churches more widely, to highlight commonalities and divergences in Orthodox Christian responses to the pandemic. Examining both the theological basis, and socio-political differences, this article considers how the Orthodox theology of apophaticism and relationality impacts wider discourses of contagion (both positive and negative), and consequently compliance with public health initiatives. Comparison across diverse Orthodox settings suggests that Orthodox Christians are concerned with the neighbour - both in terms of who may be watching (and reporting) them, and who may fall sick because of them.

UNASSIGNED: Proper feeding practices during early childhood is fundamental for optimal child growth and development. However, scientific evidences on the determinants of dietary diversity are scanty. Particularly, the impact of fasting on children`s dietary diversity is not explored in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to assess dietary diversity and associated factors among children aged 6-23 months, whose mothers/care-givers were Orthodox Christians during the fasting season (Lent), in Dejen District, North West Ethiopia, 2016.
UNASSIGNED: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted during the fasting season from March to April, 2016. The study sample were children aged 6-23 months, whose mothers/care-givers were Orthodox Christians. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 967 children proportionally from all selected kebeles. Data was entered using Epi data and statistical analysis were done using logistic regression. P-value < 0.05 at 95% confidence interval was taken as statistically significant.
UNASSIGNED: Only 13.6% of children surveyed met the minimum requirement for dietary diversity. Unsatisfactory exposure to media [AOR = 5.22] and low household monthly income [AOR = 2.20] were negatively associated with dietary diversity. As compared to economic related reasons, mothers/caregivers who do not feed diet of animal origin to their children due to fear of utensil contamination for family food preparation were 1.5 times [AOR=1.5; 95% CI (1.05 - 2.53)] less likely to feed the recommended dietary diversity.
UNASSIGNED: The findings of this study revealed that the diet of children in the study area lacked diversity. Promoting mass media and socioeconomic empowerment of women have positive contribution to optimal child feeding practice. Sustained nutrition education to mothers regarding proper infant and young child feeding practice in collaboration with the respective religious leaders is highly recommended.