The yo-yo effect of Ramadan fasting on overweight/obese individuals in Indonesian: A prospective study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Ramadan fasting has been associated with a significant body weight, fat mass and waist-hip circumference reduction. However, this is mostly followed by weight regain in 2 weeks after the fasting is stopped. Currently there is no explanation on how this rebound phenomena occurred. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the role of lifestyle and hormonal background on weight regain after Ramadan fasting in overweight individuals. METHODS: This was an observational study with prospective cohort design. Subjects were overweight/obese men and women adults with age between 21 and 56 years old. Body weight, percent fat, fat free mass and hip-waist circumference were measured before (week 0), 28 days after Ramadan fasting (week 4) and 2 weeks after the end of Ramadan (week 6). In addition, data on lifestyle factors such as dietary intake and physical activity were collected in those time points. Leptin was measured before and at the end of Ramadan fasting period. RESULTS: Body weight was significantly reduced at the end of Ramadan (week 4, p < 0,0001) and increased after Ramadan (week 6, p < 0,0001). Leptin was significantly reduced after Ramadan (p = 0,018) and we found that leptin level at the end of Ramadan was associated with percent body weight reduction (p = 0,011). CONCLUSION: We conducted a study to understand Ramadan fasting yo-yo effect in overweight and obese individuals and this study showed that dietary factor prior to the fasting has a significant impact on overweight/obese individual.