This review found that intermittent fasting showed little or no benefit in weight loss or improving quality of life for people with obesity.
Intermittent fasting has become very popular for weight loss these days. Social media, fitness blogs, and many celebrities tout it as an easy way to lose weight quickly. However, a recently published large scientific review has questioned this claim. The review found that intermittent fasting showed little to no benefit in weight loss or improving quality of life for people with obesity. However, it may have positive effects on some internal body functions, but more research is needed.
Intermittent fasting involves scheduling eating and fasting times. People eat for a limited period of time, either daily or on certain days of the week. Some common methods include the 5:2 diet, which involves eating normally for five days a week and consuming very few calories for two days. Eating within an 8-hour window daily and fasting for the remaining 16 hours. Eating normally one day and eating very little the next (alternating between meals) is believed to promote quick weight loss and boost metabolism.
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Researchers analyzed 22 separate studies involving nearly 2,000 adults. These studies looked at the effects of intermittent fasting over 12 months. They compared it with standard dietary advice (such as a reduced calorie intake and a balanced diet) or no advice at all. The results showed little or no significant difference in weight loss between intermittent fasting and standard dietary advice. There was also no significant improvement in quality of life.
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The review's lead author, Luis Garegnani (Italian Hospital of Buenos Aires), said that the enthusiasm for intermittent fasting on social media is inconsistent with scientific evidence. Dr. Baptiste Leurent of University College London said that this is another example of where public perception and scientific reality are at odds. According to Professor Keith Frayn of Oxford University, there is no magic formula for weight loss. The real solution is calorie reduction.
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Although no significant difference was seen in weight loss, in some cases, it may have reduced cholesterol, improved blood sugar, or improved gut health, but more robust and larger research is needed to confirm these benefits.
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The studies analyzed had small numbers of participants, not all used robust scientific methodology, there was no clear understanding of the differential effects on men and women, and the differences in effects across countries and people with different BMIs were unclear. Therefore, the researchers are moderately confident about their results, but not completely.
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Many people are using injections like Wegovy and Mounjaro to lose weight. Around 1.6 million people in the UK are believed to be using them, but a recent study found that when people stop using these injections, they quickly gain the weight back. This is four times faster than those who stop using traditional diets and exercise, making it clear that lifestyle changes are the only lasting way to lose weight.
