Study on fasting and calorie restriction for depression

N. M. Hussin et al.

January 2013

Other fasting

Overweight / obesity

This intervention study by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia on the FKR (Fasting and Calorie Restriction) dietary regimen was conducted to investigate its effectiveness in improving mood and depression status in older men.

A total of 32 healthy men, with an average age of 60 years and an average BMI of 26.7 were enrolled in the study.

Participants were randomly assigned to either the FKR group (who were to follow a calorie-restricted diet with intermittent fasting ) or the control group (in which participants were to maintain their current lifestyle ) for a period of 3 months. Mood was assessed with the Profile of Mood States and depression with the Beck Depression Inventory-II and the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 at baseline, week 6 and week 12 of the intervention.

A total of 31 participants completed the study.Significant decreases in the areas of tension, anger, confusion and overall mood as well as improvements in vitality were observedin the FCR group compared to the control group. No significant changes in mean depression scores were observed. Weight, BMI and body fat percentage were reduced by 3.8%, 3.7% and 5.7% in the FCR group, respectively.

The results show that an FCR dietary regime can effectively improve mood and nutritional status in older men.

The most important information on the study at a glance

Indications: Obesity, depression
Institution: S. Shahar, Dietetic Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Title: Study on fasting and calorie restriction for depression
Brief description: The study shows that fasting and calorie restriction can effectively improve mood and nutritional status in older men.
Original title: Efficacy of fasting and calorie restriction (FCR) on mood and depression among ageing men
Link to the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24097021/