The Ethiopian Orthodox Christian (EOC) fasts, although adopted for religious purposes, combines aspects of energy restriction, time-restricted feeding, and a vegan dietary pattern, all of which have been independently associated with weight loss and healthier body composition. However, combined effect of these practices as part of EOC fast remains unknown. This longitudinal study design evaluated the effect of EOC fasting on body weight and body composition. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, physical activity level, and fasting regimen followed was captured through an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Weight and body composition measurements were taken before and at the end of major fasting seasons. Body composition parameters were measured by bioelectrical impedance (BIA), Tanita® BC-418®, Japan). Significant changes in body weight and body composition were observed for both fasts. Significant decreases in body weight (14/44 day fast: − 0.45; P = 0.004/− 0.65; P = 0.004), FFM (− 0.82; P = 0.002/− 0.41; P < 0.0001), and trunk fat mass (− 0.68; P < 0.0001/− 0.82; P < 0.0001) were observed after adjusting for covariates including age, sex, and physical activity. The EOC fasting regimen leads to significant reductions of body weight and compositions. Longer fasting duration led to much higher effects in body weight and body composition and may be non-pharmacological strategy in prevention or treatment of chronic diseases.

Wild edible plants (WEPs) are the natural food source that can help to mitigate food insecurity and improve starvation in low income countries including Ethiopia. Despite the widespread use of WEPs in Ethiopia, studies on the nutritional contents of Ethiopian WEPs are limited. The objective of the current study is to evaluate the nutritional value (proximate, mineral, and vitamin C contents) of the most consumed seven wild edible plants collected from Lasta District, Northeastern Ethiopia. The nutritional parameters including proximate, macro and micronutrients, and also vitamin C contents of the selected seven wild edible plants were evaluated using standard food analysis methods (moisture by dry-oven method, ash by high-temperature incineration in an electric muffle furnace, fat by Soxhlet extraction procedure, protein by Kjeldahl process, minerals by Atomic absorption spectrometer and atomic emission spectrometry and vitamin C by using a spectrophotometer). One-way ANOVA was used to analyze the nutritional content variations of selected WEPs. The proximate composition of the 7 WEPs came in the respective ranges of moisture (6.50–9.77 g/100 g); ash (6.99–26.35 g/100 g); crude protein (13.1–33.63 g/100 g); crude fat (1.08–9.83 g/100 g); crude fiber (6.21–43.77 g/100 g); utilizable carbohydrate (30.11–66.25 g/100 g) and gross energy (213.05–414.80 Kcal/100 g). The mineral composition of WEPs (mg/100 g dry weight) for macronutrients ranged from 25.53–37.99 Na, 56.65–72.79 Mg, 14.40–43.57 K, 44.35–60.14 Ca, and for micronutrients it ranged from 10.51–27.96 Fe, 8.35–23.87 Zn, 14.08–23.20 Cu, and 7.99–19.08 Mn. The vitamin C contents of WEPs (mg/100 g dry weight) ranged from 2.16–70.42 except in Haplocarpha rueppelii leaves in which its vitamin C content is below the detection limit. The outcome of the investigation indicates that the proximate, mineral and vitamin C contents of the WEPs included in the analysis were higher than those of some common crops (sorghum, rice, wheat, barley and maize), indicating their nutritional contribution to the human diet in the studied area. These wild food sources make up a good part of the traditional subsistence system of the people of Lasta District alongside their common food crops and other food sources.

In Ethiopia, wild edible plants (WEPs) offer a natural food supply for humans to alleviate food insecurity and hunger. Despite the extensive usage of WEPs in Ethiopia, there have been few investigations on their nutritional composition. Our study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activity and anti-nutritional factors of the most commonly consumed WEPs in Northeastern Ethiopia. The antioxidant parameters including total phenol, total flavonoid, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and Ferric Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay contents and the anti-nutritional parameters including oxalate, phytate and tannin contents of the selected seven WEPs were evaluated using standard food analysis techniques. The total phenol (mg GAE/100 g) and total flavonoid (mg QE/100 g) content of WEPs resulted in ranges of 0.79–17.02 and 2.27–7.12, respectively. The antioxidant activity revealed that leaves of Amaranthus hybridus and Rumex nervosus have the highest DPPH and FRAP value, scavenging 50% of free radicals under 50 µg/mL. Non-food values resulted in the respective ranges of 3.37–11.73 mg/100 g oxalate, 16.31–165 µg/100 g phytate and 1.38–5.49 mg/100 g tannin. The investigation indicates that the antioxidant activity of WEPs under research was higher than common crops, and the non-food values were laid in the safe limit, indicating that these might be used for making more healthy and nutritious foods.

Background: Dietary pattern such as energy restriction, abstinence from animal products and consumption of vegetarian diet was seen in free living Ethiopian Orthodox followers. However, little is known about its effect on appetite hormones, insulin sensitivities and β-cell function of diabetic patients and healthy subjects. MethodA prospective cohort study design was conducted from February 27 to April 30, 2019 among 46 healthy subjects and 52 diabetic patients. Pretested structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic characteristics, physical activities and information about fasting regime. Measurements were taken at two time points: at week 0 and week 8. ELISA analyzer were used for measuring hormones activities. The presence of any changes from the baseline was evaluated using the t-test, and the presence of any correlation was evaluated using multiple linear regression. Results: Vegan diet practice and energy restriction significantly lower body weight (p=0.004/0.041) and BMI (p=0.014/0.006), glucagon (p<0.0001, p=0.001), leptin (p=0.002, p=0.046 significantly changed in diabetic and healthy subject respectively. Insulin (p=0.002) increased significantly in diabetic patients while insulin (p=0.003) significantly decreased in healthy subjects. The concentration of ghrelin (p=0.030) increased significantly in diabetic but insignificantly (p=0.135) in healthy subjects compared to non-fasting. Insulin sensitivities and β-cell function significant improved in diabetic patients.Conclusion Simultaneous consumption of vegan diet and energy restriction in Lenten fasting improved body weight, BMI, blood pressure, activities of appetite hormones, insulin sensitivities and β-cell function. As a result, fasting practice is recommended as effective non-medicinal treatment option for prevention/treatment of chronic diseases.

Geographical varation and determinant of inadequate Minimum Dietary Diversity(MDD) among young children in SSA with some consequence is becoming increasingly important for geographical targeting and policy prioritization. This study is to investigate geographic variation, factors, and consequences of inadequate MDD. Data for each nation were extrapolated from recent measures of DHS. The study consist of 57,291 children. Mapping identification and mixed effect model were applied for determining inadequate MDD. The prevalence of inadequate MDD was 79·9%. Most part of Western, Eastern and Central SSA children were more suffered. Children were suffering from anaemia, wasting, and stunting as a result of inadequate MDD. Children whose aged 6—11 months, from not media-exposed mothers, and from living a long distance of health facility were more likely to suffer inadequate MDD compared to their counterparts. The most important predictors were connected to maternal characteristics. Working with mothers is a simple way to achieve tremendous change. When adequate MDD is improved, the number of children who suffer from anemia, stunting, and wasting decreases.