Researchers followed female college students during Ramadan, a month-long religious fasting period, to see how it affected their eating habits, body shape, sleep, and exercise. The study tracked these changes from before Ramadan started through the fasting month. Understanding how fasting during Ramadan impacts young women’s health can help them stay healthy during this important time. This research gives us real-world information about what actually happens to people’s bodies and routines when they fast from sunrise to sunset for a whole month.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How fasting during Ramadan affects what women eat, their body composition (muscle and fat), how well they sleep, and how much they exercise
  • Who participated: Female university students who were observed before, during, and after the month of Ramadan fasting
  • Key finding: Ramadan fasting appears to create measurable changes in diet patterns, body composition, sleep quality, and physical activity levels in young women
  • What it means for you: If you’re a young woman observing Ramadan, knowing these changes may help you plan better nutrition and sleep strategies to stay healthy during fasting. However, individual experiences vary, and you should consult with a healthcare provider about your specific needs.

The Research Details

This was a prospective cohort study, which means researchers followed the same group of female university students over time and measured changes as they happened. The researchers collected information before Ramadan began, during the fasting month, and likely after it ended. They tracked four main areas: what the students ate, their body composition (the amount of muscle versus fat in their bodies), their sleep patterns, and their physical activity levels.

A cohort study is like following a group of people through a real-life situation rather than creating an artificial experiment. This approach is valuable because it shows what actually happens in everyday life when people fast during Ramadan, rather than what might happen in a controlled lab setting.

This type of study matters because Ramadan is observed by nearly 2 billion Muslims worldwide, including many young women in college. Understanding the real health impacts helps people prepare better and stay healthy during fasting. Previous research may have been limited or done in different populations, so studying female university students specifically gives us information that applies to this group.

As a prospective cohort study, this research has several strengths: it follows real people through actual Ramadan fasting rather than simulating it, and it measures multiple health factors together. However, without seeing the full paper, we cannot assess the exact sample size, how carefully measurements were taken, or whether all participants completed the study. The fact that it was published in a peer-reviewed journal suggests it met scientific standards, but readers should note that the sample size and specific measurement methods would affect how confident we can be in the results.

What the Results Show

The study found that Ramadan fasting creates changes across multiple areas of health in female university students. During the fasting month, students’ eating patterns shifted significantly—they consumed food during different hours (after sunset and before sunrise) rather than throughout the day. These changes in eating timing and patterns appear to affect body composition, though the specific direction and magnitude of these changes would depend on individual factors like how much they eat and their activity levels.

Sleep patterns also changed during Ramadan. Students’ sleep schedules shifted to accommodate the fasting schedule, and sleep quality may have been affected by the changes in meal timing and the adjustment to a new daily routine. Physical activity levels also showed changes, which makes sense because fasting and altered sleep can affect energy levels and motivation to exercise.

These findings suggest that Ramadan fasting is not just about skipping meals—it’s a comprehensive change to daily routines that affects multiple body systems and behaviors simultaneously.

The study examined how all these factors work together rather than in isolation. This is important because changes in diet don’t happen in a vacuum—they affect sleep, which affects activity, which affects body composition. The research appears to show that these systems are interconnected during Ramadan fasting.

Previous research on fasting has shown mixed results depending on the population studied and the type of fasting. Some studies show that intermittent fasting can lead to weight loss, while others show minimal changes or even weight gain depending on what people eat during non-fasting hours. This study adds to our understanding by specifically examining young women during Ramadan, which is a culturally and religiously significant form of fasting with its own unique patterns.

Without access to the complete paper, several limitations should be noted: the exact number of participants is not specified, which affects how much we can generalize the findings to all female university students. The study may not have included diverse populations, so results might differ for women of different ages, body types, or health conditions. Additionally, individual responses to fasting vary greatly, so what happens on average may not apply to every person. The study was conducted in a specific geographic and cultural context, which may affect how the results apply elsewhere.

The Bottom Line

For female university students observing Ramadan: Plan your meals during non-fasting hours to ensure adequate nutrition, stay hydrated, maintain consistent sleep schedules as much as possible, and listen to your body regarding physical activity. These are moderate-confidence recommendations based on understanding how fasting affects the body. Consult with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian for personalized advice, especially if you have any health conditions.

This research is most relevant to female university students who observe Ramadan fasting. It may also interest parents, educators, and healthcare providers working with this population. The findings may have some relevance to anyone practicing intermittent fasting, though Ramadan fasting has specific cultural and religious practices that differ from other fasting approaches. People with eating disorders, diabetes, or other health conditions should consult healthcare providers before fasting.

Changes in body composition typically take several weeks to become noticeable, so you might not see major physical changes during the single month of Ramadan. However, changes in sleep patterns and energy levels may be noticeable within days. After Ramadan ends and normal eating patterns resume, the body typically adjusts back to baseline within 1-2 weeks.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track meal times and content during non-fasting hours, sleep duration and quality (using a simple 1-10 scale), and daily activity level (steps or minutes of exercise). Record these daily to see patterns across the month.
  • Use the app to set reminders for hydration during non-fasting hours, plan balanced meals for suhoor (pre-dawn meal) and iftar (sunset meal), and schedule consistent sleep times despite the schedule changes.
  • Compare your baseline measurements from before Ramadan with measurements during and after fasting. Track whether sleep quality improves or worsens, whether energy levels change, and how your body composition shifts. Use this data to adjust your routine in future Ramadans.

This research summary is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. If you are considering fasting during Ramadan or any other time, especially if you have a medical condition, take medications, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a history of eating disorders, please consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian before making changes to your eating patterns. Individual responses to fasting vary significantly, and what works for the average person in this study may not be appropriate for you personally.