I always thought that fasting during Ramadan, no food or drink from 6 in the morning to 7 in the evening, would result in some amount of weight loss on a nationwide scale. Incorrect!

Actually, Ramadan fasting causes a general weight gain of about 5 kilos. Because consuming nothing for more than twelve hours sends your metabolism into a tail spin and then on top of that the non-fasting hours are spent pigging out on lentil soup, lamb and flat bread.

Additionally, due to the daylight hour calorie deficit there is a decrease in physical activity. What an unpleasant way to get fat.

(In my experience, Ramadan also tends to equal general societal crotchetiness due to low blood sugar)