Key result
Ramadan observance linked to ~1 kg weight loss and lower blood pressure.
Why the study?
No prior synthesis has explicitly examined how Ramadan-related sleep disruptions may mediate changes in cardiometabolic health.
Does Ramadan observance alter sleep duration and cardiometabolic risk factors?
Meta-Analysis (n=2,684)
Does Ramadan observance alter sleep duration and cardiometabolic risk factors?
Effect estimate: MD -1.07 (95% CI -1.70 to -0.44)
Ramadan observance is associated with reductions in body weight and blood pressure, with a unique positive correlation between sleep duration and body weight changes.
Introduction Ramadan observance is characterized by major lifestyle changes, including shifts in sleep and dietary patterns. Previous meta-analyses have shown reductions in sleep duration and quality during Ramadan, while reviews of cardiometabolic outcomes report mixed findings. However, no prior synthesis has explicitly examined how Ramadan-related sleep disruptions may mediate changes in cardiometabolic health. Our meta-analysis and meta-regression address this gap by exploring the relationship between Ramadan-associated sleep changes and cardiometabolic risk factors. Methods We conducted a meta-analysis and meta regression according to PRISMA guidelines. We identified studies examining both sleep and cardiometabolic risk factors before and after Ramadan. Studies were screened independently by two reviewers, data were extracted, and quality of included studies was assessed. Then we performed meta-analysis and meta-regression. Results A total of 11 studies with 2684 participants met inclusion for the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis revealed mean differences in: sleep duration of -0.61 (95% CI: -1.29 to 0.06); BMI of -0.52 (95% CI: -0.96 to -0.08); body weight of -1.07 (95% CI: -1.70 to -0.44), systolic blood pressure of -6.75 (95% CI: -8.74 to -4.75); and diastolic blood pressure of -1.43 (95% CI: -2.06 to -0.81). There was a significant positive relationship between sleep duration and body weight (coefficient: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.13 to 0.90). Conclusion Our meta-analysis revealed that Ramadan was associated with a negative trend in sleep duration, and a significant decrease in BMI, body weight, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure. The positive relationship between sleep duration and body weight revealed in our meta-regression contrasts with established literature in non-fasting populations, suggesting Ramadan-specific mechanisms may be at play. Heterogeneity was observed in several models, suggesting further studies using objective sleep measures and standardized timelines are needed to better understand associations between changes in sleep duration associated with Ramadan observance and cardiometabolic risk factors. Support (if any)
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Lucas et al. (2026) conducted a meta-analysis in Cardiometabolic risk during Ramadan (n=2,684). Ramadan observance vs. Before Ramadan was evaluated on Change in body weight (MD -1.07, 95% CI -1.70 to -0.44). Ramadan observance was associated with significant decreases in body weight (MD -1.07; 95% CI -1.70 to -0.44) and blood pressure, and a positive relationship between sleep duration and body weight.
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