Calorie restriction and obesity

Abstract

Dietary restriction regimens are commonly employed to facilitate weight loss in obese individuals. The dietary restriction regimen most frequently implemented is daily calorie restriction (CR), which involves decreasing energy intake by a certain percentage daily. Another dietary restriction regimen employed, although far less commonly, is alternate day fasting (ADF). ADF regimens include a feed day where food is consumed ad libitum, alternated with a fast day, where food intake is partially reduced. Adipose tissue physiology plays an important role in mediating the risk of obesity-related disorders. The present review examines the ability of CR versus ADF regimens to improve parameters adipose tissue biology (body weight, regional fat distribution, and fat-cell derived hormone levels) in overweight and obese humans. Interactions between these various physiological parameters, and how they combine to impact disease risk, is also discussed.