Comparison of body mass index, sleep quality, and fatigue among young muslim adults pre- and post-ramadan: A prospective observational study

Background

Ramadan fasting alters meal timing, sleep-wake schedules and daily activity, and may influence body weight, sleep quality and perceived fatigue. Young adults and students may be particularly susceptible because fasting is superimposed on academic routines and altered nocturnal schedules. The aim is to compare body mass index (BMI), sleep quality and fatigue among young Muslim adults before and after Ramadan fasting. Materials and Methods: This prospective pre-post observational study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, Government Medical College Baramulla. Healthy Muslim students aged 18-24 years who intended to fast and provided written informed consent were eligible. The planned sample size was approximately 100. A total of 154 participants completed both pre- and post-Ramadan assessments. Twenty-six participants who did not fast during Ramadan were excluded according to the predefined inclusion criteria, and 128 fasting participants were included. Weight and height were recorded and BMI was calculated. Sleep was assessed using the Global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire (FOSQ), while fatigue was assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Pre- and post-Ramadan values were compared using paired-samples t-tests, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.