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Abstract
This systematic review aims to investigate the effects of intermittent energy restriction (IER) on anthropometric outcomes and intermediate disease markers. A systematic literature search was conducted in three electronic databases. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included if the intervention lasted ≥12 weeks and IER was compared with either continuous energy restriction (CER) or a usual diet. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed for eight outcomes. Certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE. Seventeen RCTs with 1328 participants were included. IER in comparison to a usual diet may reduce body weight (mean difference [MD]: −4.83 kg, 95%-CI: −5.46, −4.21; n = 6 RCTs), waist circumference (MD: −1.73 cm, 95%-CI: −3.69, 0.24; n = 2), fat mass (MD: −2.54 kg, 95%-CI: −3.78, −1.31; n = 6), triacylglycerols (MD: −0.20 mmol/L, 95%-CI: −0.38, −0.03; n = 5) and systolic blood pressure (MD: −6.11 mmHg, 95%-CI: −9.59, −2.64; n = 5). No effects were observed for LDL-cholesterol, fasting glucose, and glycosylated-hemoglobin. Both, IER and CER have similar effect on body weight (MD: −0.55 kg, 95%-CI: −1.01, −0.09; n = 13), and fat mass (MD: −0.66 kg, 95%-CI: −1.14, −0.19; n = 10), and all other outcomes. In conclusion, IER improves anthropometric outcomes and intermediate disease markers when compared to a usual diet. The effects of IER on weight loss are similar to weight loss achieved by CER.
Acknowledgements
SL participated in this project during her research stay at the Institute for Evidence in Medicine, University of Freiburg, supported by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Germany.
Disclosure statement
The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.
Financial support
No funding to declare.