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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2016 Sep;24(9):1874-83.
doi: 10.1002/oby.21581.

A randomized pilot study comparing zero-calorie alternate-day fasting to daily caloric restriction in adults with obesity

Victoria A Catenacci  1   2 , Zhaoxing Pan  3 , Danielle Ostendorf  2   4 , Sarah Brannon  5 , Wendolyn S Gozansky  6 , Mark P Mattson  7   8 , Bronwen Martin  9 , Paul S MacLean  1   2 , Edward L Melanson  1   10 , William Troy Donahoo  1   6
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

A randomized pilot study comparing zero-calorie alternate-day fasting to daily caloric restriction in adults with obesity

Victoria A Catenacci et al. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2016 Sep.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the safety and tolerability of alternate-day fasting (ADF) and to compare changes in weight, body composition, lipids, and insulin sensitivity index (Si) with those produced by a standard weight loss diet, moderate daily caloric restriction (CR).

Methods: Adults with obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m(2) , age 18-55) were randomized to either zero-calorie ADF (n = 14) or CR (-400 kcal/day, n = 12) for 8 weeks. Outcomes were measured at the end of the 8-week intervention and after 24 weeks of unsupervised follow-up.

Results: No adverse effects were attributed to ADF, and 93% completed the 8-week ADF protocol. At 8 weeks, ADF achieved a 376 kcal/day greater energy deficit; however, there were no significant between-group differences in change in weight (mean ± SE; ADF -8.2 ± 0.9 kg, CR -7.1 ± 1.0 kg), body composition, lipids, or Si. After 24 weeks of unsupervised follow-up, there were no significant differences in weight regain; however, changes from baseline in % fat mass and lean mass were more favorable in ADF.

Conclusions: ADF is a safe and tolerable approach to weight loss. ADF produced similar changes in weight, body composition, lipids, and Si at 8 weeks and did not appear to increase risk for weight regain 24 weeks after completing the intervention.

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Conflict of interest statement

No authors have any potential conflicts of interest to disclose

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Study Flowchart
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