Prevalence and determinants of fasting-related dizziness and hypoglycemic symptoms among adults during Ramadan in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A community-based cross-sectional study
- 1Department of Medical Education, College of Medicine, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- 2College of Medicine, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Abstract
Background:: Ramadan fasting involves prolonged abstinence from food and fluids and may lead to dizziness and hypoglycemic-type symptoms. Community-based data on these symptoms among adults in Riyadh are limited.
Objective:: To determine the prevalence of fasting-related dizziness and hypoglycemic symptoms and identify associated risk factors among adults in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Methods:: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among adults (≥18 years) who fasted during Ramadan. Data were collected using a structured online questionnaire. A fasting-related symptomatic episode was defined as the presence of ≥2 symptoms during fasting hours (dizziness, tremor, sweating, palpitations, severe fatigue, or fainting). Independent predictors were identified using multivariable logistic regression.
Results:: Among 498 participants (50.0% female; mean body mass index [BMI] 24.9 ± 4.8 kg/m2), 37.3% reported at least one fasting-related symptom and 20.1% experienced a symptomatic episode. Dizziness (21.3%), palpitations (17.1%), and severe fatigue (12.2%) were the most common symptoms. Independent risk factors included diabetes (adjusted odds ratios [AOR] 11.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.18–23.47), underweight BMI (AOR 4.40, 95% CI 1.03–18.71), anemia (AOR 3.01, 95% CI 1.17–7.70), sleep duration >8 h (AOR 2.85, 95% CI 1.02–7.91), hypertension (AOR 2.73, 95% CI 1.19–6.28), moderate caffeine intake (101–200 mg/day) (AOR 2.59, 95% CI 1.24–5.44), and age 25–34 years (AOR 2.51, 95% CI 1.04–6.10).
Conclusions:: One in five adults experienced fasting-related symptomatic episodes during Ramadan. Diabetes, hypertension, anemia, underweight BMI, prolonged sleep, and moderate caffeine intake were significant risk factors. These findings support pre-Ramadan risk assessment and targeted counseling to promote safer fasting practices.
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BibTeX
@article{abdulrahman2026prevalence,
title = {{Prevalence and determinants of fasting-related dizziness and hypoglycemic symptoms among adults during Ramadan in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A community-based cross-sectional study}},
author = {Khalid A. Bin Abdulrahman and Mohammed N. Alatyani and Mohammed A. Aldossry and Basel A. Almutairi and Mubarak A. Alshammary and Muath K. Algarni and Mohammed A. Alqahtani},
journal = {Journal of family medicine and primary care},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1111_26},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13722252},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Prevalence and determinants of fasting-related dizziness and hypoglycemic symptoms among adults during Ramadan in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A community-based cross-sectional study
AU - Khalid A. Bin Abdulrahman
AU - Mohammed N. Alatyani
AU - Mohammed A. Aldossry
AU - Basel A. Almutairi
AU - Mubarak A. Alshammary
AU - Muath K. Algarni
AU - Mohammed A. Alqahtani
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Journal of family medicine and primary care
DO - 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1111_26
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13722252
AB - Background:: Ramadan fasting involves prolonged abstinence from food and fluids and may lead to dizziness and hypoglycemic-type symptoms. Community-based data on these symptoms among adults in Riyadh are limited. Objective:: To determine the prevalence of fasting-related dizziness and hypoglycemic symptoms and identify associated risk factors among adults in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods:: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among adults (≥18 years) who fasted during Ramadan. Data were collected using a structured online questionnaire. A fasting-related symptomatic episode was defined as the presence of ≥2 symptoms during fasting hours (dizziness, tremor, sweating, palpitations, severe fatigue, or fainting). Independent predictors were identified using multivariable logistic regression. Results:: Among 498 participants (50.0% female; mean body mass index [BMI] 24.9 ± 4.8 kg/m2), 37.3% reported at least one fasting-related symptom and 20.1% experienced a symptomatic episode. Dizziness (21.3%), palpitations (17.1%), and severe fatigue (12.2%) were the most common symptoms. Independent risk factors included diabetes (adjusted odds ratios [AOR] 11.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.18–23.47), underweight BMI (AOR 4.40, 95% CI 1.03–18.71), anemia (AOR 3.01, 95% CI 1.17–7.70), sleep duration >8 h (AOR 2.85, 95% CI 1.02–7.91), hypertension (AOR 2.73, 95% CI 1.19–6.28), moderate caffeine intake (101–200 mg/day) (AOR 2.59, 95% CI 1.24–5.44), and age 25–34 years (AOR 2.51, 95% CI 1.04–6.10). Conclusions:: One in five adults experienced fasting-related symptomatic episodes during Ramadan. Diabetes, hypertension, anemia, underweight BMI, prolonged sleep, and moderate caffeine intake were significant risk factors. These findings support pre-Ramadan risk assessment and targeted counseling to promote safer fasting practices.
SN - 2249-4863
SN - 2278-7135
ER -