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Meta-Analysis
. 2014 Feb;17(2):396-406.
doi: 10.1017/S1368980012005046. Epub 2012 Nov 27.

Islamic fasting and weight loss: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Behnam Sadeghirad  1 , Shahrzad Motaghipisheh  2 , Fariba Kolahdooz  3 , Mohammad J Zahedi  4 , Ali A Haghdoost  2
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Islamic fasting and weight loss: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Behnam Sadeghirad et al. Public Health Nutr. 2014 Feb.

Abstract

Objective: Studies on the effects of Ramadan fasting on weight changes have been contradictory. We brought together all published data to comprehensively examine the effects in a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Design: Relevant studies were obtained through searches of PubMed and CINAHL and by independent screening of reference lists and citations without any time restriction. All searches were completed between October and November 2011.

Setting: Changes in body weight during and after Ramadan were extracted from thirty-five English-language studies and were meta-analysed. Most of the studies were conducted in West Asia (n 19); the remainder were conducted in Africa (n 7), East Asia (n 3) and North America/Europe (n 4).

Subjects: Healthy adults.

Results: Fasting during Ramadan resulted in significant weight loss (-1·24 kg; 95% CI -1·60, -0·88 kg). However, most of the weight lost was regained within a few weeks and only a slight decrease in body weight was observed in the following weeks after Ramadan compared with that at the beginning of Ramadan. Weight loss at the end of Ramadan was significant in both genders (-1·51 kg for men and -0·92 kg for women); but again the weight loss lasted no longer than 2 weeks after Ramadan. Weight loss during Ramadan was greater among Asian populations compared with Africans and Europeans.

Conclusions: Weight changes during Ramadan were relatively small and mostly reversed after Ramadan, gradually returning to pre-Ramadan status. Ramadan provides an opportunity to lose weight, but structured and consistent lifestyle modifications are necessary to achieve lasting weight loss.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flowchart showing the selection of studies included in the present systematic review of Ramadan fasting effects on body weight (*two studies reported the effects of Ramadan fasting in healthy and obese subjects, and in healthy and diabetic subjects)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Forest plot showing the change in body weight during Ramadan (Δweight1; difference between baseline body weight (weight in the first day of Ramadan or before that) and follow-up weight (weight in the final week of Ramadan)); values are means with 95 % confidence intervals shown by horizontal bars. Studies are ordered alphabetically by name of first author and publication date. The pooled or ‘combined’ mean difference was calculated by a random-effects model. Studies are represented as squares centred on the point estimate of the result of each study. The area of the square represents the weight given to the study in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysed effect measure (centre line of diamond, dashed line) and its confidence interval are represented as a diamond. The solid vertical line is the line of no effect
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Forest plot showing the change in body weight from the final week of Ramadan to >2 weeks after Ramadan (Δweight3); values are means with 95 % confidence intervals shown by horizontal bars. Studies are ordered alphabetically by name of first author and publication date. The pooled or ‘combined’ mean difference was calculated by a random-effects model. Studies are represented as squares centred on the point estimate of the result of each study. The area of the square represents the weight given to the study in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysed effect measure (centre line of diamond, dashed line) and its confidence interval are represented as a diamond. The solid vertical line is the line of no effect
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Forest plot showing the change in body weight due to Ramadan (Δweight2; difference between baseline body weight (weight in the first day of Ramadan or before that) and follow-up weight >2 weeks after Ramadan); values are means with 95 % confidence intervals shown by horizontal bars. Studies are ordered alphabetically by name of first author and publication date. The pooled or ‘combined’ mean difference was calculated by a fixed-effects model. Studies are represented as squares centred on the point estimate of the result of each study. The area of the square represents the weight given to the study in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysed effect measure (centre line of diamond, dashed line) and its confidence interval are represented as a diamond. The solid vertical line is the line of no effect
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References

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