‘A Safer Ramadan’: developing an integrated approach to support safer fasting and feasting for people with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

In the United Kingdom, it is estimated that there are over 300 000 Muslim people with diabetes. Observance of Ramadan is an integral part of being a Muslim that involves abstinence from food and drink from dawn till dusk. In the UK over the next 10 years, Ramadan will fall in the heart of the summer months, resulting in longer fasting periods. For people with diabetes fasting can be problematic, yet few individuals receive advice from health care professionals on how to manage their diabetes during the Ramadan period. A ‘whole systems’ approach, involving community awareness, health care professional training and patient education, was used to develop and implement an educational intervention to address the needs of individuals with type 2 diabetes during the Ramadan period. This practice point paper details this service improvement project and lists a number of recommendations to improve the uptake and sustainability of such interventions to support safer fasting and feasting for people with type 2 diabetes during religious events. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Guidelines for managing diabetes in Ramadan

“…A structured education programme entitled ‘A Safer Ramadan’ has been developed to support safer fasting and feasting for those with Type 2 diabetes during Ramadan, and to help patients prepare for Ramadan . It comprises of three individual educational components for the patient, the community and the healthcare professional.…”

Diabetes and Ramadan: Practical guidelines 2021

“…5). Importantly, Ramadan focused education should target HCPs, the people with diabetes that are seeking to fast and the wider public [57].…”

Recommendations for management of diabetes during Ramadan: update 2020, applying the principles of the ADA/EASD consensus

“…26 It is important that the structured education is implemented and ideally it should incorporate community awareness package, HCP training and patient self-management course like 'A Safer Ramadan'. 33 The therapeutic options for fasting patients with type 2 diabetes during Ramadan including lifestyle, weight management and medications Lifestyle management Medical nutrition therapy and dietary patterns for Ramadan Medical nutrition therapy should be provided by a registered dietitian or nutrition professional 34 and should include principles of healthy eating behaviors, preventive methods for hypoglycemia, proper portion intake. 35 Since foods consumed during Ramadan tend to be higher in carbohydrate, strategies should include portion control as well as the possible incorporation of physical activity after meal.…”