Acceso usuarios
Indonesia
Background: Obesity is a growing public health issue,driven by poor dietary habits and sedentary behavior dur-ing the transition from adolescence to early adulthood.Although Ramadan fasting, as part of the Muslim faith notintended for weight management, may offer health benefitswhen combined with balanced nutrition. This study aimedto evaluate the effectiveness of combining nutrition educa-tion with Ramadan fasting in reducing body weight, im-proving body composition and dietary habits among obeseundergraduate students.
Methods: A randomized pretest–posttest control groupstudy was conducted among 76 obese undergraduate stu-dents (BMI ≥25 kg/m²) at Hasanuddin University (February–April 2025). Participants were randomized by the closed-en-velope method into an intervention group (balanced nutritioneducation with Ramadan fasting) or a control group (fastingonly). Anthropometry and body composition were measuredusing standardized procedures with a Tanita BC-730 Bio -electrical Impedance Analyzer. Dietary intake was assessedwith a baseline FFQ and repeated 24-hour recalls (eighttimes during Ramadan). Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon,Mann–Whitney, and independent t-tests, with significanceset at p<0.05.
Results: The intervention group achieved greater weightreduction (2.23 kg, ≈3% vs. 1.52 kg, ≈2.1%; p= 0.045),although the clinical relevance of this change was modestwithin a short duration. More substantial effects were notedin body composition, including significant reductions in fatmass (–3.21%; p=0.002), increases in muscle mass(+3.55%; p<0.001), and greater protein intake (+8.53 g;p=0.007). An upward trend in fiber intake was also ob-served (p=0.059).
Conclusion: Ramadan fasting combined with balanced nu-trition education effectively improved body composition, nu-trition knowledge, and healthy eating behaviors.
