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Alternate day fasting improved weight loss in adults with obesity, best as dinner or small meals
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Patients with obesity achieved greater weight loss following a regimen of alternate day fasting, especially when the fast day meal was consumed as dinner or as smaller meals throughout the day, according to research presented at Obesity Week 2014.
The effects of alternate day fasting (ADF) on coronary heart disease (CHD), however, warrants further investigation, according to researchers in the Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition at University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois. “The results of this study indicate that weight loss and improvements in body composition can be achieved using various ADF regimens,” Kristin Hoddy, a PhD student at the university, told Endocrine Today. “These findings suggest a more flexible ADF regimen can be used to better suit the individual’s lifestyle, and ultimately this has the potential to improve weight loss success due to compliance.”
Hoddy, along with Krista A. Varady, PhD, associate professor in the department, and colleagues compared the effects of three ADF protocols in 45 adults aged 25 to 65 years with obesity (BMI=30-39.9 kg/m2) and at risk for CHD over 8 weeks. Patients were sedentary or moderately active with stable weight.
Those with diabetes or history of cardiovascular disease, or taking drugs for weight loss, lipids or glucose were excluded along with peri-menopausal women and smokers.
The researchers randomized patients to fast day meal as lunch (ADF-L; n=20; 17 women), fast day meal as dinner (ADF-D; n=19; 15 women) or fast day meal as small meals throughout the day (ADF-SM; n=20; 18 women).
“The dieter may not have preferred this particular group assignment,” Hoddy noted. “For example, someone assigned to the dinner time meal on their fasting day may have preferred to consume these calories throughout the day in small meals.”
Fast day meal nutrient composition was 500 kilocalories, 25% to 30% total fat, 15% to 20% protein, 50% to 60% carbohydrates, 30 mg of cholesterol and 5 to 10 g fiber.
Greater reduction in body weight was seen with ADF-D (4.6 ± 0.6 kg) and ADF-SM (4.9 ± 0.6 kg) vs. ADF-L (3.3 ± 0.6 kg; P<.05). Similarly, fat mass and visceral fat mass decreased more with ADF-D (3.1 ± 0.3 kg; 0.2 ± 0 kg) and ADF-SM (3.3 ± 0.4 kg; 0.2 ± 0 kg) vs. ADF-L (1.8 ± 0.4 kg; 0.1 ± 0 kg; P<.05).
“Future studies could investigate self-selected meal timing for ADF compliance, such as testing a flexible regimen versus an assigned regimen,” Hoddy said. “Exploring the role of meal timing, with or without calorie restriction, in the context of both weight loss and other chronic disease parameters is an interesting area of research. More controlled clinical studies are certainly needed.” — by Allegra Tiver
For More Information: Hoddy KK. Abstract T-3108-OR. Presented at: Obesity Week; Nov 2-7, 2014; Boston.
Disclosures: Hoddy reports no relevant financial disclosures.