Intermittent Fasting versus Calorie Defect Approach in Losing Weight:  A Systematic Review

Samar Lafi ALjohani; Waseem  Mutlaq H Alsaidalani; Awadh Salh Alshehri; Rahmah  Basheer M Alatawi; Nasser  Mansour M Alatawi; Sarah  Naif S Alatawi; Maher  Salem M Albalawi; Maram  Habs R Anazi; Mazan  Turki M Alenzi; Rahaf  Thamer M Alharbi; Abdulaziz Salim Alhwiati; Shahad  Faiz S Aljohani; Wedyan  Saleh F Albalawi

doi:10.54293/smhj.v3i3.85

Authors

Samar Lafi ALjohani Assistant Professor of Family medicine, college of medicine, University of Tabuk, KSA. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7130-084X
Waseem Mutlaq H Alsaidalani Student, Faculty of Medicine, Tabuk University, Tabuk, KSA. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7736-309X
Awadh Salh Alshehri Student, Faculty of Medicine, Tabuk University, Tabuk, KSA.
Rahmah Basheer M Alatawi Student, Faculty of Medicine, Tabuk University, Tabuk, KSA. https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0864-1128
Nasser Mansour M Alatawi Student, Faculty of Medicine, Tabuk University, Tabuk, KSA.
Sarah Naif S Alatawi Student, Faculty of Medicine, Tabuk University, Tabuk, KSA.
Maher Salem M Albalawi Student, Faculty of Medicine, Tabuk University, Tabuk, KSA.
Maram Habs R Anazi Student, Faculty of Medicine, Tabuk University, Tabuk, KSA. https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8196-6269
Mazan Turki M Alenzi Student, Faculty of Medicine, Tabuk University, Tabuk, KSA.
Rahaf Thamer M Alharbi Student, Faculty of Medicine, Tabuk University, Tabuk, KSA. https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9698-5168
Abdulaziz Salim Alhwiati Student, Faculty of Medicine, Tabuk University, Tabuk, KSA.
Shahad Faiz S Aljohani Student, Faculty of Medicine, Tabuk University, Tabuk, KSA.
Wedyan Saleh F Albalawi Student, Faculty of Medicine, Tabuk University, Tabuk, KSA. https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6376-543X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54293/smhj.v3i3.85

Keywords:

Intermittent Fasting, Calorie Restriction, Energy Control, BMI, Insulin Resistance, Weight Loss

Abstract

Background: Calorie restriction (CR) is the gold standard of treatment for treating overweight and obesity. Although this method results in only moderate weight reduction, weight rebound is frequent and CR adherence gradually deteriorates over time. IMF, or intermittent fasting, is a different nutritional approach, reduces calorie consumption. The study's objective is to assess the efficacy of continuous calorie restriction (CCR) with intermittent fasting in treating overweight and obese individuals.

Methods: To find the pertinent literature, PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were exhaustively searched. The Rayyan QRCI was applied throughout this methodical procedure.

Results: our review included eight studies with parameters including body mass index (BMI), age, insulin resistance, eating behavior and sleep quality. The studies investigated the role of intermittent fasting compared to the role of calorie restriction in losing weight.

Conclusion: Our findings imply that CR positively improves metabolic parameters, assisting individuals who are insulin resistant and pre-diabetic. Additionally, IMF can improve health and cellular resilience to illness without calorie restriction and without causing weight loss. In terms of BMI, there was no discernible difference between IMF and CR. These results imply that IMF could be effective like CR for weight reduction.