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Background The present study aimed to assess the effects of Ramadan intermittent fasting on body weight and composition and the effects of age and sex. Methods Body weight, height, waist and hip circumferences were measured, body mass index ( BMI) was calculated and fat mass, fat-free mass and percentage body fat were assessed by bioelectrical impedance on 240 adult subjects (male: 158) who fasted between sunrise and sunset for at least 20 days. Measurements were taken 1 week before and 1 week after Ramadan. Energy and macronutrient intakes were assessed using a 3-day food frequency questionnaire on a sub-sample of subjects before and during Ramadan. Results Subjects were grouped according to age and sex: ≤35 years ( n = 82, males: 31) and 36-70 years ( n = 158, males: 127). There were significant reductions in weight and BMI ( P < 0.001) in almost all subjects, with the biggest being in males ≤35 years [−2.2% ( SE 2.2%), P < 0.001]. Waist and hip circumferences fell in most subjects, except females aged 36-70 years. Fat mass fell in most subjects, ranging from 2.3% to 4.3% from baseline, except in females aged 36-70 years who did not experience a significant change. Fat-free mass was significantly reduced in all subjects ( P < 0.001), whereas percentage body fat was lower only in males by 2.5% ( SE 3.2%) ( P = 0.029) in those aged ≤35 years and by 1.1% ( SE 1.5%) ( P < 0.001) in those aged 36-70 years. Dietary intake was similar before and during Ramadan, except in males whose protein intake fell during Ramadan ( P = 0.032). Conclusions Ramadan fasting leads to weight loss and fat-free mass reductions. Body composition changes vary depending on age and sex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Time-restricted eating (TRE) has been shown to be associated with improvements in some aspects of the metabolic syndrome. Nevertheless, only a few studies have addressed the effect of TRE on pulse wave velocity (PWV). We thus propose a randomized controlled trial to compare the effects of TRE with standard dietary advice on PWV and thereby present the protocol., Methods: Forty-eight participants will be assigned to either TRE or control groups using simple randomization. The TRE group will consume their meals during a 10-h period and experience 14 h of fasting. They will also be advised to consume their last meal no later than 20:00. Both groups will receive standard dietary advice. The participants will be followed for 6 weeks. The primary outcome will be changes in PWV. Laboratory measurements, including lipid profile, liver enzyme tests, fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin concentrations, and insulin resistance, as well as anthropometric data, blood pressure, basal metabolic rate, appetite status, physical activity level, sleep quality, cognitive function, quality of life, and calorie intake, will be evaluated throughout the study., Discussion: The outcomes of this study will allow a comparison of the effects of TRE and standard dietary recommendations on PWV and other cardiometabolic factors in individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetS)., Trial Registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials; code: IRCT20201230049889N1; registered on August 14, 2022. The registration of the trial is accessible at: https://www.IRCT.ir/trial/64485?revision=281341 ., (© 2024. The Author(s).)