Effect of Intermittent Fasting Interventions for Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults – A Systematic Review

Abstract

Recent data from the 2019 Global Health Metrics report indicates a troubling trend: more than five million deaths annually can be traced back to health issues related to being overweight or obese. This comprehensive review, scrutinizes the role of intermittent fasting (IF) in improving metabolic functions and aiding in weight loss among the adult demographic. This review, built on the solid foundations of the Cochrane and PRISMA protocols, thoroughly examines a plethora of research concerning IF as a viable approach to combat adult obesity and overweight conditions. Our extensive research canvassed several academic and scientific databases such as PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of sciences, Scopus and the Cochrane Library, up until the latter part of February 2023, with no barriers on language. We identified 3241 studies, which after deduplication procedures, narrowed down to 3065. Through meticulous evaluation, we shortlisted 386 studies. Ultimately, our synthesis includes 10 research papers with contributions from India (6 studies), as well as individual studies from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the USA, and China, collectively observing 845 adults. Our synthesis of the selected research posits that IF provides enduring and beneficial outcomes for adults suffering from obesity and excess weight. The intervention showcases a marked improvement in managing blood glucose, lipid concentrations, insulin sensitivity, and overall cardiovascular functioning. It is also observed that integrating IF with consistent physical activity serves as an effective dual strategy for not only weight control but also for fostering an enhanced state of general health.