Effect of Ramadan Fasting on Weight and Body Composition in Healthy Non-Athlete Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Ramadan involves one month of fasting from sunrise to sunset. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to determine the effect of Ramadan fasting on weight and body composition.

Methods

In May 2018, we searched six databases for publications that measured weight and body composition before and after Ramadan, and that did not attempt to influence physical activity or diet.

Results

Data were collected from 70 publications (90 comparison groups, 2947 participants). There was a significant positive correlation between starting body mass index and weight lost during the fasting period. Consistently, there was a significant reduction in fat percentage between pre-Ramadan and post-Ramadan in people with overweight or obesity (-1.46 (95% confidence interval: -2.57 to -0.35)

SUBMITTER: Fernando HA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6412279 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature