Intermittent fasting may produce similar weight loss results to traditional calorie counting, a new study has found.
Time-restricted eating, commonly known as intermittent fasting, involves switching between fasting and eating on a regular schedule. The technique has long been studied as a method for weight loss.
And now scientists from the University of Illinois Chicago found that fasting is equally as effective as counting calories throughout the day.
The study found that participants who engaged in eight-hour time restricted eating lost about 4.5kg (10lb) more than the control group after one year and ate 425 fewer calories per day. The same group also had improved insulin sensitivity - which helps with weight loss - compared to those counted calories.
In the study, published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, 90 adults with obesity from the Greater Chicago area were assigned into three groups.
The first group were told to fast and only consume calories between eight-hour time-restricted period from from midday to 8pm. They did not need to count calories.
The second group saw people eat whenever they want, but reduce their intake by 25% while also counting calories. The third control group had no change in their eating habits.
Research found that participants who followed time-restricted eating ate 425 fewer calories per day than the control group and lost about 4.5kg (10lb) more than the control group after one year.
Meanwhile, the calorie-restricted group ate 405 fewer calories per day and lost about 5.5kg (12lb) more after one year, with participants in both groups showing high adherence to their interventions.
The results showed intermittent fasting was as effective as calorie counting for weight loss.
Scientists believe the findings can help medical professionals adapt weight loss methods to each individual, rather than a 'one diet fits all' approach. However, they say further research is needed to determine who would most benefit from each of these diet choices.
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