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Objective: To evaluate the changes caused by Ramadan fasting on body weight and serum leptin level in normal, overweight and obese individuals. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted from June to July 2014 among individuals who fasted throughout the month of Ramadan and had no known chronic disease. All individuals were categorized according to Body Mass Index (BMI) categories for Asians, i.e., normal weight (18.5-22.9 Kg/m2), overweight (23-24.9 Kg/m2) and obese (>25Kg/m2). Anthropometric measurements and blood samples were obtained at irst day of Ramadan (Pre Ramadan) and during the last week of Ramadan (Post Ramadan). Leptin hormone was analyzed by Human ELISA kit. Paired t-test was used for comparison, pvalues

Objectives: The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of fasting during Ramadan on plasma adiponectin and TNF-α levels. Methods: This is a cross sectional study, conducted at Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science & Technology (FUUAST), Karachi, comprising a total of 55 (50%) females and 55 (50%) males whose ages ranged between 20 and 40 years, and fasted during Ramadan (June-July 2014) were enrolled in the study. Subjects were separated into normal weight, overweight and obese males and females. Anthropometric measurements and Fasting venous blood samples were taken at first and last (29th) day of Ramadan. Plasma adiponectin and TNF-alpha levels were assayed with ELISA kits. All values were calculated and presented as mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM) and by using analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures. P values < 0.05 were accepted as significant. Results: Body mass index (BMI) (Kg/m2) in over-weight and obese male subjects exhibited considerable reduction (P

Background: The present study was planned to investigate the level of cholesterol in obese/non-obese (normal) individuals according to their body mass index (BMI) and age in different population residing in Karachi. Aim: Comparison of serum cholesterol values of obese with normal subjects and comparison of BMI of obese and normal individuals. Methods: Selection of obese subjects was according to the WHO (1998) criteria. A total of 40 subjects 18 - 55 years of age participated in the study, among which 30 subjects (Mean Age = 29.47 ± 1.99) were obese (Mean BMI = 35.41 ± 0.878) and 10 were controls with Mean age = 21.00 ± 0.547 and BMI = 19.96 ± 0.432. An overnight fasting blood sample was obtained and serum total Cholesterol (T-CH) level was estimated. Results: Obese persons having Mean T-CH = 202.6 ± 14.3 and controls having Mean T-CH = 173.3 ± 14.0. The data were further divided into males and females. Obese females were 11 with their BMI 31.836 ± 0.21, mean age ranged at 28.73 ± 4.04 and T-CH 191.8 ± 21.8, while that of control females were 6 in number with their BMI ranged at 19.183 ± 0.507, age 21.000 ± 0.894 and Cholester 148.7 ± 16.0 in controls. Total numbers of obese males were 19 with their BMI ranged at 37.49 ± 1.14, age ranged at 29.89 ± 2.19 and cholesterol level ranged at 208.89 ± 19.1. Control males were 4 in number with their BMI ranged at 21.125 ± 0.075, age 21.250 ± 0.479 and their T-CH 128.7 ± 8.72. Conclusion: The results of current study have reflected that BMI and total cholesterol concentration are higher in obese subjects.

A total of 64 male obese subjects were randomized to observe the effect of 40 g of walnut in daily breakfast on lipid profile and Body Mass Index (BMI), total Cholesterol (CHO), Triglyceride (TG) High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in obese male subjects of various ethnics i.e. Baloch (B), Pathan (P), Hazara (H) and Punjabi (PU) residing in Quetta region of Balochistan for this purpose four weeks controlled study was designed. A batch of 32 obese male subjects 8 from each ethnic group as a control and another batch of 32 obese males 8 from each ethnic group as treated were selected. Twelve hour fasting blood samples a day after stoppage of walnut were taken from obese control and obese treated subjects. Daily walnut consumption in obese male subjects evidently demonstrated reduced BMI in all ethnic groups. Walnut supplementation in obese exhibited significant reduction in cholesterol level in Baloch (P 0.01), H (P lipid level.

The effect of exercise on BMI and plasma lipid profile has been investigated in hypertensive females of four ethnic groups of Baloch (B), Pathan (P), Hazara (H) and Punjabi (PU). A total of 32 females, i.e. 8 from each group as control and another batch of 32 females’ in similar distribution followed prescribed exercise protocol for ten weeks. After the trial fasting blood samples were collected from controlled group and exercised subjects. Exercise manifested significant decrement in Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) in P, H and PU groups and of Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) in all the ethnic sub-populations. Marked and significant decrease of total cholesterol in all the ethnic groups was observed and the lowering of LDL cholesterol was also found in most except Pathan sub-population. Striking and significant rise of HDL of the exercising females was observed in all ethnic sub-populations. Triglyceride levels were considerably and significantly lowered in B, P, and H subjects. The beneficial effects of exercise on blood pressure and plasma lipids in female hypertensive subjects have been clearly demonstrated.

Four week controlled study was designed to observe the effect of 40 g of walnut in daily breakfast on Body Mass Index (BMI), total Cholesterol (CHO), Triglyceride (TG) High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in obese female subjects of various ethnics, i.e. Baloch (B), Pathan (P), Hazara (H) and Punjabi (PU) residing in Quetta region of Balochistan. A batch of 32 obese female subjects, 8 from each ethnic group as a control and another batch of 32 obese females 8 from each ethnic group as treated were selected. Twelve hour fasting blood samples a day after stoppage of walnut were taken from obese control and obese treated subjects. Daily walnut consumption demonstrated considerable drop in body weight in all ethnic groups residing in Quetta locality. Marked and statically significant reduction in total cholesterol was noticed in all ethnic groups i.e. 3.6% (p

Standardized measurements of blood pressure, height and weight were obtained in 8-11 years old children, attending school in Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan. The sample consisted of 427 individuals (219 boys and 208 girls). The blood pressure was measured by auscultatory method. To calculate the body mass index (BMI), the weight (kg) of each subject was divided by the square of the subject's height. Association between various variables and blood pressure was judged through correlation coefficient. The net and joint effect of selected variables on blood pressure variability was calculated using simple/multiple regression. The correlation coefficients with that of systolic blood pressure were 0.365, 0.427 and 0.341 whereas these were 0.397, 0.430 and 0.320 for diastolic blood pressure. Height had a regression coefficient of 0.475 mmHg/cm with systolic pressure and 0.419 mmHg/cm with diastolic blood pressure. Weight had a regression coefficient of 0.878 mmHg/kg and 0.717 mmHg/kg with systolic and diastolic pressure respectively whereas BMI had a regression coefficient of 2.35 mmHg/BMI unit with systolic pressure and 1.79 mmHg/BMI unit with diastolic blood pressure.