Study on intermittent fasting & exercise for obesity

Overweight in the form of obesity plays a central role in the development of cardiometabolic disease. Lifestyle changes that include continuous energy restriction are effective in reducing weight and obesity; however, daily energy restriction leads to poor long-term adherence. Over the past decade, intermittent fasting (IF) has emerged as a promising alternative to energy restriction that may promote higher adherence and/or produce improvements in cardiometabolic health parameters independent of weight loss.

This study led by Stephen Keenan presents a secondary analysis of data from a 12-week intervention that examined the effects of fasting twice per week (5:2 IF group) and continuous energy restriction combined with resistance training in 34 healthy participants (17 men and 17 women, mean BMI: 27.0 kg/m², mean age: 23.9 years). Specifically, changes in cardiometabolic blood markers and assessments of hunger, mood, energy and adherence were analyzed within and between groups. The diet plans were hypoenergetic and matched for energy and protein intake.

Both diet groups experienced a reduction in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol over the 12 weeks. The reduction in TC and LDL-C was greater in the IF group after adjusting for baseline values and weight change. No significant changes in markers of glucose regulation were observed. Both groups showed high adherence (~80%) and reported low hunger during the course of the intervention.

Secondary data analysis revealed that both dietary patterns in combination with resistance training improved blood lipid levels, with greater reductions observed in the IF group . High adherence rates and low reported hunger levels throughout the intervention period suggest that both diets are well tolerated in the short to medium term.