Journal of Obesity & Weight Loss Therapy
Open Access

Abstract

The ability of modified Alternate Day Fasting (ADF) (i.e. consuming 25% of energy needs on the fast day, and ad libitum fed on feed day) to facilitate weight loss and lower vascular disease risk in obese individuals remains unknown. This study examined the effects of ADF, administered under controlled versus self-implemented conditions, on body weight and Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) risk indicators in obese adults. Sixteen obese subjects (12 women/4 men) completed a 10-week trial, consisting of 3 phases: 1) 2-week control phase, 2) 4-week weight loss/ADF controlled feeding phase, and 3) 4-week weight loss/ADF self-selected feeding phase. Dietary adherence remained high throughout the controlled feeding phase (86% days adherent), and the self-selected feeding phase (89% days adherent). Rate of weight loss remained constant during controlled feeding (0.67 �± 0.1 kg/week) and self-selected feeding phases (0.68 �± 0.1 kg/week). Body weight decreased (P < 0.001) by 5.6 �± 1.0 kg (5.8% �± 1.1%) after 8 weeks of diet. Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triacylglycerol concentrations were lowered (P < 0.01) by 21 �± 4%, 25 �± 10%, 32 �± 6%, respectively, after 8 weeks of ADF, while HDL cholesterol remained unchanged. Systolic blood pressure decreased (P < 0.05) from 124 �± 5 mm Hg to 116 �± 3 mm Hg. These findings suggest that ADF is a viable diet option to help obese individuals lose weight and decrease CHD risk.

Biography

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