ArticleBMC public health2023
Changes in dietary and lifestyle behaviors and mental stress among medical students upon Ramadan diurnal intermittent fasting: a prospective cohort study from Taif/Saudi Arabia.
Article in BMC public health, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 12 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
12 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- The effect of Ramadan fasting on anthropometric and body composition of healthy adults within different time points: A systematic review and meta-analysis.International journal of obesity (2005) · 2025Pooled it
- Decoding of Nocturnal Fasting and Health: Possible Role of Zeitgebers and Melatonin.Annals of neurosciences · 2026Review
- Changes in diet, body composition, sleep, and activity with onset of Ramadan intermittent fasting in female university students: a prospective cohort study.The Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association · 2026Article
- Mental Health, Sleep, and Physical Activity Among Young Saudi Women During Ramadan: A Comparative Cohort Study.Nature and science of sleep · 2026Article
- Article
- When hunger and thirst part ways: a longitudinal comparison of men and women across the Ramadan fasting-recovery cycle, with non-fasting controls.Frontiers in nutrition · 2026Article
- Stress in first-year medical students: a multidimensional analysis of emotional Intelligence, empathy, and cardiovascular health.BMC medical education · 2025Article
- Association between ramadan fasting, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and academic performance among Iraqi university students: A cross-sectional study.BMC public health · 2025Article
- Intermittent Fasting Among Adults: Patterns, Prevalence, and Health Benefits.Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research · 2025Article
- Does breakfast skipping alter the serum lipids of university students?BMC nutrition · 2025Article
- Exploring mood and anxiety disturbances across Ramadan: a comparative study of Saudi medical students before, during, and after fasting.Frontiers in psychology · 2025Article
- Experiences of fasting during Ramadan in British Muslims: Psychological, social and health behaviours.PloS one · 2025Article
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8 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundIntermittent fasting (IF) is a popular dietary plan for weight loss. In fact, fasting is a common practice in different religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. During the month of Ramadan, more than 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide fast from dawn to sunset. Ramadan diurnal intermittent fasting (RDIF) has health benefits, including a reduction in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and an improvement in mood. However, little is known about the effects of RDIF on lifestyle behaviors, such as regular exercise, consuming healthy diet, and avoiding harmful substances, as well as mental stress, and academic performance in high school and university students.
methodsIn this prospective cohort study, two self-reported questionnaires were sent one week before and during the last week of Ramadan (April 2022; Ramadan 1443 in Hijri Islamic Calendar) to assess changes in lifestyle, perceived stress, and academic achievement of medical students at Taif University in Taif city, Saudi Arabia. Healthy lifestyle components data were collected to calculate healthy lifestyle scores, including body mass index, physical activity, adherence to a Mediterranean diet, smoking status, and sleep duration.
resultsRDIF was associated with a healthier lifestyle in both female and male participants (pre-RDIF mean score: 2.42 vs post-RDIF mean score: 2.74; statistical power = 0.99; P-value < 0.05). They were more active and adherent to the Mediterranean diet during RDIF. Additionally, the post-RDIF smoking rate declined by 53.4%. Male participants showed higher perceived stress scores during RDIF (pre-RDIF mean score: 19.52 vs post-RDIF mean score: 22.05; P-value < 0.01). No changes in academic performance were observed upon RDIF.
conclusionMedical students show healthier dietary and lifestyle behaviors and their academic performance is not affected during RDIF. However, perceived stress is higher among male students.
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