After Ramadan fast, Indonesians 'eat with a vengeance'

JAKARTA (AFP) - As Indonesia shifts from a month of fasting during Ramadan to a week-long eating binge for the Eid al-Fitr Muslim holiday, doctors are braced for an annual spike in complaints of rapid weight gain.

Millions in the world's most populous Muslim nation typically mark the end of the Ramadan fasting month visiting families and relatives, in reunions where traditional foods rich in sugars and fats take centre stage.

While there is no conclusive study linking festive binging with weight gain, doctors say many more patients knock on their doors after non-stop gorging on delicacies such as beef rendang (spicy stew) and chicken opor (coconut curry).

Muslims around the world fast from dawn to dusk during Ramadan to fulfil one of the five pillars of their faith. The body's metabolism slows down to conserve energy during fasting and continues to do so even after the period is over, doctors say.