Effects of Ramadan Fasting With Exercise on Cardiometabolic Health

Effects of Ramadan Diurnal Fasting Combined With a Structed Aerobic Exercise on Body Composition and Cardiometabolic Health in Adults With Overweight and Obesity

The goal of this interventional study is to examine the effects of Ramadan diurnal fasting alone and in combination with moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on cardiometabolic health in adults with overweight and obesity. The main questions it aims to answer are:

1. Does Ramadan diurnal fasting lead to changes in body composition and cardiometabolic health outcomes?
2. Does adding moderate-intensity aerobic exercise during Ramadan fasting result in greater improvements in cardiometabolic health compared with fasting alone?

Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: Ramadan diurnal fasting only or Ramadan diurnal fasting combined with a supervised moderate-intensity aerobic exercise program. Cardiometabolic, metabolic, and behavioral outcomes will be assessed before Ramadan and during the last week of Ramadan.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 20-60
• Body mass index (BMI) ≥27 kg/m²
• Planning to observe Ramadan diurnal fasting for the duration of Ramadan

Exclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosed cardiovascular, metabolic, renal, or endocrine disease (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular disease)
• Use of medications known to affect metabolism, glucose regulation, or lipid metabolism
• Current smoking or use of nicotine products
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding