The short- and long-term impact of the Ramadan fast on body weight and cardiometabolic factors: a pilot study in an ethnic obese adolescent cohort.

RESULTS The Ramadan 2012 started July 19 and ended August 18. Twenty-fi ve obese adolescents were included (40% boys, mean±SD: age 14.5±1.6, Z-BMI 3.2±0.34, days fasted 26±4). Body weight and glucose metabolism did not change during the study. At the end of the Ramadan a signifi cant decrease in body fat percentage and signifi cant increases in fat free mass, total body water, heart rate, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and hs-CRP were found (all P<0.05). At six weeks follow-up, all parameters returned to baseline levels, except for fat free mass and total body water which remained (signifi cantly) increased. Caloric intake, amount of days fasted, age and sex did not infl uence these results.