ArticleThe Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association2026
Changes in diet, body composition, sleep, and activity with onset of Ramadan intermittent fasting in female university students: a prospective cohort study.
Article in The Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundRamadan intermittent fasting (RIF) significantly impacts daily routines and health parameters. The immediate adaptations during early Ramadan, particularly among university students maintaining academic commitments, remain understudied.
methodsTwenty-five healthy female students (aged 20.58 ± 1.37 years) were followed over three weeks: one pre-Ramadan (pre-RIF) and the first two weeks (RIF-week 1 and RIF-week 2) of Ramadan. To objectively measure sleep duration and physical activity (skin-contact actimetry), daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale), anthropometric assessment (bioelectrical impedance), and dietary intakes (3-day food records) were assessed over the three timepoints.
resultsSleep efficiency remained stable at 85%. Daytime sleepiness scores significantly decreased from pre-RIF (13.76 ± 4.22) to RIF weeks 1 and 2 (11.92 ± 4.01; 11.88 ± 4.96, p = 0.032). Waist-to-hip ratio significantly decreased from 0.88 ± 0.06 in pre-RIF to 0.87 ± 0.06 (p = 0.049) during the following two weeks. Significant dietary changes were reported between pre-RIF and RIF-week 1, including increased fruit intake (0.85 ± 0.75 to 1.83 ± 1.51 cups/day, p = 0.018) and fiber consumption (13.49 ± 5.31 to 19.54 ± 11.62 g/day, p = 0.022), while intake of vegetables decreased from pre-RIF to RIF-weeks 1 and 2 (1.02 ± 0.59 to 0.92 ± 0.78 and 0.62 ± 0.52 cups/day, p = 0.037), and folate (158.82 ± 95.88 to 118.00 ± 85.24 and 118.20 ± 73.98 µg/day, p = 0.036); and there was marginal decrease in fat intake between pre-RIF and RIF-week 2 (67.42 ± 32.33 to 52.55 ± 26.79 g/day, p = 0.136).
conclusionCommencement of Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF) during the first two weeks is associated with a significant increase in daytime alertness and fruit intake, and reduced vegetable intake among female university students. This initial period of Ramadan is a critical time, requiring supportive strategies in academic settings to monitor students effectively.
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