Ramadan fasting is a deeply spiritual practice for over two billion Muslims worldwide, involving abstinence from food and drink from dawn to sunset for a month. While its religious significance is immense, recent scientific research sheds light on how this practice affects physical and mental well-being, especially among university students balancing fasting with academic demands.
A study conducted at the University of Petra in Jordan in 2024 investigated fasting’s effects on mental health, sleep, body composition, and physical activity in 77 university students. The results reveal encouraging benefits on body composition and insights into sleep disruptions and activity declines during Ramadan, offering a complete health picture for fasting students.
Key Findings on Mental Health
Contrary to concerns, the study found no significant changes in depression, anxiety, or stress levels before and after Ramadan fasting. Using a validated Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), scores remained stable, indicating mental health was generally maintained during fasting.
| Mental Health Indicator | Before Ramadan | After Ramadan | Change | Statistical Significance (p-value) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Depression | Stable | Stable | None | 0.48 |
| Anxiety | Stable | Stable | None | 0.31 |
| Stress | Stable | Stable | None | 0.62 |
The steady mental health despite fasting challenges suggests some students may offset negative impacts through enhanced spiritual resilience and community support during Ramadan.
Changes in Body Composition
One of the most notable outcomes was the significant improvement in body composition. The fasting students lost an average of 1.35 kg in weight, reduced their BMI by 0.52 kg/m², and decreased waist circumference by 2.08 cm. Reductions were observed in fat mass and visceral fat area as well — all positive indicators of improved metabolic health.
| Body Composition Measure | Before Ramadan | After Ramadan | Change | Statistical Significance (p-value) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (kg) | 66.55 | 65.20 | -1.35 | <0.0001 |
| BMI (kg/m²) | 25.31 | 24.79 | -0.52 | <0.0001 |
| Waist Circumference (cm) | 87.92 | 85.83 | -2.08 | <0.0001 |
| Fat Mass Index | 8.95 | 8.52 | -0.42 | <0.0001 |
| Visceral Fat Area (cm²) | 113.7 | 106.17 | -7.54 | <0.0001 |
These findings reinforce Ramadan fasting’s potential as a natural, effective approach to improving body fat and related health parameters.
Sleep Quality Declines During Ramadan
While mental health and body composition remained stable or improved, sleep quality notably declined during Ramadan. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) showed a significant deterioration, especially in subjective sleep quality, sleep duration, and increased disturbances.
This is linked to altered night-time rituals, delayed schedules, and disrupted circadian rhythms during the fasting month, which may affect academic performance and daytime alertness.
Physical Activity Levels Drop
Physical activity levels also fell sharply, with students shifting from moderate-high activity to predominantly sedentary or light activity during Ramadan. This may be due to reduced energy availability and increased fatigue from fasting and poor sleep.
Practical Advice for Fasting Students
- Adopt good sleep hygiene: maintain consistent sleep schedules and reduce screen time before bed.
- Introduce light exercise such as walking or stretching before the evening meal to stay active.
- Balance fasting commitments with rest and nutrition for optimal physical and mental well-being.
Reference: here
Other Articles:
