EFFECT OF INTERMITTENT FASTING IN OVERWEIGHT FEMALES ON WEIGHT LOSS AND METABOLIC BIOMARKERS

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Intermittent fasting (IMF) is an emerging dietary intervention to lose weight. It involves restriction in total caloric intake in a given period. This study examined the effects of IMF on weight loss, metabolic markers, body composition and satiety score in nurses without diabetes in our centre. METHODOLOGY Thirty‐seven overweight nurses without diabetes were randomly allocated to the experimental (IMF, n=18) or control group (CER, n=19) for 12 weeks. The IMF group was placed on a 5:2 diet (20 to 25% of energy needs on scheduled fasting days). The CER group was prescribed calorie restriction based on body mass index (BMI) and level of physical activity. Repeated‐measure ANOVA was used to statistically analyse the data. RESULTS The mean age of subjects was 38.9 ± 5.9 years. There was a significant reduction in weight and BMI in the IMF group (p<0.01) at the end of 12 weeks. Subjects in the IMF had 5.9% weight loss compared to 2.3% in the CER group. The reduction in fasting insulin and HOMA‐IR were greater in the IMF group (p=0.012 and 0.022, respectively). There was a modest reduction in fat mass and fat‐free mass in the IMF group, but none in the CER. The satiety score was also significantly increased in the IMF group (p=0.01). CONCLUSION IMF was effective for weight loss and resulted in improvement in insulin resistance in overweight women. Further reduction in weight loss and its sustainability would require long‐term follow up.