Nutritional, Sleep, Physical Activity, and Quality-of-Life Changes During Ramadan Fasting: A Prospective Comparative Study

Why It Matters

The findings reveal that Ramadan fasting triggers short‑term, reversible changes in weight, sleepiness, activity, and well‑being, informing clinicians and policymakers on how to support Muslim populations during the fasting month.

Key Takeaways

• Fasting reduced daily energy intake by ~130 kcal mid‑Ramadan.
• Body weight fell ~0.7 kg in fasters, rebounded post‑Ramadan.
• Daytime sleepiness rose ~1.2 ESS points during fasting.
• Physical activity level dropped ~0.12 PAL units in fasting group.
• QoL scores in physical and emotional roles declined mid‑Ramadan but recovered.

Pulse Analysis

9 billion Muslims worldwide, imposes a daily fast from dawn to sunset for roughly a month. The abrupt shift in meal timing, coupled with altered sleep schedules, creates a natural experiment for researchers interested in short‑term metabolic and psychosocial responses. Prior investigations have reported modest weight loss and changes in sleep architecture, yet most relied on cross‑sectional data or focused solely on fasting participants. The new prospective comparative study from Istanbul fills this gap by tracking both fasting and non‑fasting adults across four time points, offering a richer picture of the month’s physiological ripple effects.

The study enrolled 282 healthy adults and measured body weight, energy intake, Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores, physical activity level (PAL), and SF‑36 quality‑of‑life domains before, during, and two weeks after Ramadan. 7 kg, while non‑fasters remained weight‑stable. 12 units, indicating reduced vigor and activity. Correspondingly, physical and emotional role scores on the SF‑36 dipped markedly mid‑Ramadan, though all metrics rebounded once the fast ended.

These transient shifts suggest that Ramadan’s lifestyle constraints are largely reversible, but they also highlight opportunities for targeted interventions. Health professionals can advise short, post‑iftar exercise sessions, structured nap periods, and balanced nutrient distribution to mitigate sleepiness and activity loss. Public‑health campaigns that respect religious practices while promoting hydration and protein intake may preserve muscle mass and well‑being. Future work should incorporate objective actigraphy, hormonal markers, and diverse geographic cohorts to determine whether repeated annual fasts confer longer‑term health benefits or risks.