Research

Energy balance

Islamic fasting during Ramadan results in a statistically significant but small average weight loss (approx. 1.24 kg) during the fasting month, which is almost entirely regained within weeks after Ramadan ends, resulting in negligible long-term weight change.

If you are observing Ramadan, expect to lose about 1-1.5 kg during the month, but do not rely on this for long-term weight management. The weight will likely return after Eid unless you actively maintain the dietary and activity habits you formed during the fast. Focus on maintaining the reduced meal frequency and healthy food choices post-Ramadan to make the weight loss stick.

GoodQualifiesHIGH confidence
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.
Behnam Sadeghirad et al. · Public Health Nutrition · 2012

Why this rating

Meta-analysis of 35 observational studies with moderate methodological quality (median Newcastle-Ottawa score 7/9), though heterogeneity was high (I2 > 79%).

Source

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

Behnam Sadeghirad et al. · Public Health Nutrition · 2012

DOI 10.1017/s1368980012005046

Meta-analysis · 35 studiesCited 183×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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