Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41156560›Full record

ArticleNutrients2025

Is There a Difference in Overweight and Obesity Between Christian Orthodox Fasters and Non-Fasters? A Cross-Sectional Study in Northern Greece.

Nikolaos E Rodopaios, Aikaterini Apostolopoulou, Alexandra-Aikaterini Koulouri, Sousana K Papadopoulou, Petros Skepastianos, Maria Hassapidou, Zoi Tsimtsiou, Antony G Kafatos

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Nutrients, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Nikolaos E RodopaiosDepartment of Social Medicine, Preventive Medicine and Nutrition, Medical School, University of Crete, 71110 Heraklion, Greece.ORCID 0000-0001-7710-6231
Aikaterini ApostolopoulouDepartment of Hygiene, Social-Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.ORCID 0000-0002-6391-3478
Alexandra-Aikaterini KoulouriDepartment of Social Medicine, Preventive Medicine and Nutrition, Medical School, University of Crete, 71110 Heraklion, Greece.
Sousana K PapadopoulouDepartment of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, International Hellenic University, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece.ORCID 0000-0002-6408-6128
Petros SkepastianosDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, International Hellenic University, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece.
Maria HassapidouDepartment of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, International Hellenic University, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece.ORCID 0000-0003-1027-5772
Zoi TsimtsiouDepartment of Hygiene, Social-Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.ORCID 0000-0002-9626-9295
Antony G KafatosDepartment of Social Medicine, Preventive Medicine and Nutrition, Medical School, University of Crete, 71110 Heraklion, Greece.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesThe aim of this study was to assess nutrient intake among individuals adhering to the Christian Orthodox Church (COC) fasting and to investigate potential differences in dietary intake according to Body Mass Index (BMI) classification.

methodsThis cross-sectional study enrolled participants through announcements at public universities, churches, and monasteries, targeting both urban and religious adult populations. A total of 228 adults with a BMI exceeding 25 kg/m

resultsOverweight and obesity rates were similar in both groups. Furthermore, there were no statistically significant differences in body composition measurements [body fat %, fat mass (kg), fat free mass (kg), waist circumference]. Diastolic and systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in non-fasters. Non-fasters reported higher intake of sugar, dietary protein, fats (saturated and polyunsaturated), and cholesterol. Fasters consumed lower amounts of vitamin A, vitamins B (B2, B3, B6, B12, folate, pantothenic acid), iron, phosphorus, sodium, zinc, and calcium. Serum folic acid levels were higher, and fasting glucose and phosphorus levels were lower in fasters. Distinct dietary patterns were observed between groups, with fasters consuming more fish and traditional plant-based foods, while non-fasters consumed higher amounts of meat, dairy products, and alcohol.

conclusionsCOC fasting is associated with favorable dietary and metabolic profiles, including improved glucose regulation. However, its impact on weight status appears limited.

Indexed as

ChristianityDietObesityOverweightAdultBody Mass IndexCross-Sectional StudiesFastingFemaleGreeceHumansMaleMiddle AgedYoung AdultChristian Orthodox fastingnutrientsobesityoverweightreligious fasting

Identifiers

PMID41156560
PMCPMC12567433

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.