(P03-003-25) The Relationship Between Caffeine Deprivation, Emotional Eating Behaviour and Mood in Individuals Fasting During Ramadan

Objectives: This study examines the interactions between caffeine deprivation, emotional eating behaviour and mood in adult individuals fasting during Ramadan.

Methods: The study included 300 adults who regularly fasted during Ramadan. The Caffeine Withdrawal Scale was used to assess caffeine withdrawal symptoms, the Emotional Appetite Questionnaire was used to assess emotional eating behaviours, and the Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) was used to assess mood. Caffeine consumption was assessed through food frequency questionnaires. Retrospective 24-hour food consumption records were collected, and participants were also asked questions about Ramadan-specific dietary habits.

Results: Of the individuals who participated in the study, 32% stated that they fasted for the entire month of Ramadan, 30.3% for more than 22 days, and 18% for 15-21 days. A total of 71.7% of the participants reported consuming the sahur meal. The negative emotional appetite scores were 39.28±13.34 for individuals with < 7 days of fasting during Ramadan and 40.01±9.93 for individuals with >22 days of fasting. Positive emotional appetite scores were found 24.58±7.74 for individuals with < 7 days of fasting and 25.13±5.93 for individuals with >22 days of fasting. 31% of the individuals who consumed more than 100 mg/day caffeine fasted for 15-21 days, 27.6% fasted for >22 days and 31% fasted for the whole month of Ramadan. Among the individuals, the total depression-anxiety-stress scores for women were 14.07±10.57, while the total scores for men were 10.72±9.44. The total depression-anxiety-stress scores of individuals who consumed more than 100 mg of caffeine per day were 15.72±12.78. The number of symptoms observed during caffeine deprivation in individuals consuming ≥100 mg caffeine (3.83±1.79) was lower than in individuals consuming < 100 mg caffeine (1.92±1.79) (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: In conclusion, it was determined that individuals' appetite increased under both positive emotions and negative situations, caffeine consumption of 100 mg or more increased with the number of fasting days, female individuals had more depression, anxiety and stress compared to male individuals during Ramadan.

Funding Sources: None