Tahajjud Prayer and Its Association with Anthropometric and Blood Pressure Parameters in Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study
Dublin Core
Title
Tahajjud Prayer and Its Association with Anthropometric and Blood Pressure Parameters in Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study
Subject
Blood pressure; BMI; cross-sectional study; Tahajjud prayer; weight
Description
Background: The spiritual significance of Tahajjud (Islamic voluntary night
prayer) is well established; however, its association with physiological markers, such
as body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure (BP), particularly
in relation to gender, remains underexplored.
Purpose: This study aimed to assess the association between Tahajjud prayer and
anthropometric and BP parameters in young adults by comparing Tahajjud and
non-Tahajjud groups, as well as regular and irregular Tahajjud practice, with
attention to gender differences.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 462 Muslim participants
(206 men, 256 women) aged 18–22 years. Data on demographics, religious
practices, and Tahajjud frequency were collected through questionnaires.
Participants were categorized into Tahajjud and non-Tahajjud groups; those who
performed Tahajjud were further classified as regular (≥3 times/week) or irregular
(<3 times/week). BP was measured using a digital sphygmomanometer, BW with a
digital scale, and height with a digital stadiometer. Comparisons of BW, BMI, and
BP were made across Tahajjud and non-Tahajjud groups, regular and irregular
Tahajjud practitioners, and by gender. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and t-
tests at a 95% confidence level (p<0.05).
Results: The prevalence of Tahajjud practice was higher among women than men,
both overall (70.71% vs. 66.51%) and for regular practice (32.04% vs. 13.86%), with
a significant gender difference in regular Tahajjud (p=0.001). No significant gender-
specific differences in BW or BMI were observed between Tahajjud and non-
Tahajjud groups. Among women, systolic BP was significantly lower in the Tahajjud
group (p=0.001). Regular Tahajjud practice was associated with lower BW and BMI
in both women (p<0.005) and men (p<0.05). Although systolic and diastolic BP
were lower among regular Tahajjud practitioners, differences were not statistically
significant. Irregular Tahajjud was associated with a higher prevalence of
overweight and obesity (p=0.016).
Conclusions: Regular Tahajjud practice was associated with lower BW, BMI, and
modest reductions in BP, suggesting a potential role in obesity prevention and
cardiovascular health. Nurses can incorporate culturally relevant practices, such as
Tahajjud, into health education and lifestyle counseling programs.
prayer) is well established; however, its association with physiological markers, such
as body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure (BP), particularly
in relation to gender, remains underexplored.
Purpose: This study aimed to assess the association between Tahajjud prayer and
anthropometric and BP parameters in young adults by comparing Tahajjud and
non-Tahajjud groups, as well as regular and irregular Tahajjud practice, with
attention to gender differences.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 462 Muslim participants
(206 men, 256 women) aged 18–22 years. Data on demographics, religious
practices, and Tahajjud frequency were collected through questionnaires.
Participants were categorized into Tahajjud and non-Tahajjud groups; those who
performed Tahajjud were further classified as regular (≥3 times/week) or irregular
(<3 times/week). BP was measured using a digital sphygmomanometer, BW with a
digital scale, and height with a digital stadiometer. Comparisons of BW, BMI, and
BP were made across Tahajjud and non-Tahajjud groups, regular and irregular
Tahajjud practitioners, and by gender. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and t-
tests at a 95% confidence level (p<0.05).
Results: The prevalence of Tahajjud practice was higher among women than men,
both overall (70.71% vs. 66.51%) and for regular practice (32.04% vs. 13.86%), with
a significant gender difference in regular Tahajjud (p=0.001). No significant gender-
specific differences in BW or BMI were observed between Tahajjud and non-
Tahajjud groups. Among women, systolic BP was significantly lower in the Tahajjud
group (p=0.001). Regular Tahajjud practice was associated with lower BW and BMI
in both women (p<0.005) and men (p<0.05). Although systolic and diastolic BP
were lower among regular Tahajjud practitioners, differences were not statistically
significant. Irregular Tahajjud was associated with a higher prevalence of
overweight and obesity (p=0.016).
Conclusions: Regular Tahajjud practice was associated with lower BW, BMI, and
modest reductions in BP, suggesting a potential role in obesity prevention and
cardiovascular health. Nurses can incorporate culturally relevant practices, such as
Tahajjud, into health education and lifestyle counseling programs.
Creator
Yusni Yusni1
, Safrizal Rahman2
, Safrizal Rahman2
Source
https://doi.org/10.14710/nmjn.v15i2.60106
Date
1 August 2025
Contributor
peri irawan
Format
pdf
Language
english
Type
text
Files
Collection
Citation
Yusni Yusni1
, Safrizal Rahman2, “Tahajjud Prayer and Its Association with Anthropometric and Blood Pressure Parameters in Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed February 21, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/11330.