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Cited by 114Dietary Effects on HealthDiet and metabolism studiesRegulation of Appetite and Obesity

Weight-Loss Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Intermittent Energy Restriction Trials Lasting a Minimum of 6 Months

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Headland, Michelle, Clifton, Peter, Carter, Sharayah, Keogh, Jennifer·2016·Nutrients
DOI 10.3390/nu8060354PMC PMC4924195
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Abstract

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to summarise the effects of intermittent energy restriction on weight and biological markers in long term intervention studies of >6 months duration. An electronic search was performed using the MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library databases for intervention trials lasting 6 months or longer investigating the effects of intermittent energy restriction. A total of nine studies were identified as meeting the pre-specified criteria. All studies included an intermittent energy restriction arm, with six being directly compared to continuous energy restriction. A total of 981 subjects were enrolled and randomised, with weight loss observed in all intermittent energy restriction arms regardless of study duration or follow up length. Eight interventions in six trials were used for the meta-analyses, with results indicating neither intermittent or continuous energy restriction being superior with respect to weight loss, 0.084 ± 0.114 (overall mean difference between groups ± standard error; p = 0.458). The effects of intermittent energy restriction in the long term remain unclear. The number of long term studies conducted is very limited, and participant numbers typically small (less than 50 completers), indicating the need for larger, long term trials of 12 months or more, to be conducted in order to understand the impact of intermittent energy restriction on weight loss and long term weight management. Blood lipid concentrations, glucose, and insulin were not altered by intermittent energy expenditure in values greater than those seen with continuous energy restriction.

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  • The superior weight loss in the INT group in the present study is in contrast with the majority of studies that have reported no advantage of intermittent over continuous ER.

    “The superior weight loss in the INT group in the present study is in contrast with the majority of studies that have reported no advantage of intermittent over continuous ER.”

    From Intermittent energy restriction improves weight loss efficiency in obese men: the MATADOR study (2018) · cites this paper as [44]

  • A recent 12-month clinical trial and several recent reviews have concluded that existing models of intermittent ER (largely versions of intermittent fasting) could be considered equivalent, but not superior, alternatives for weight loss.

    “A recent 12-month clinical trial42 and several recent reviews9,43, 44 have concluded that existing models of intermittent ER (largely versions of intermittent fasting), could be considered equivalent, but not superior, alternatives for weight loss.”

    From Intermittent energy restriction improves weight loss efficiency in obese men: the MATADOR study (2018) · cites this paper as [44]

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Cited by

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Authors
Headland, M., Clifton, P., Carter, S., & Keogh, J.
Affiliations
University of South Australia (AU)
Corresponding author
Clifton, Peter
ORCID
Venue
Nutrients
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2016-06-08
Volume
8
Issue
6
Pages
354
ISSN
2072-6643 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/nu8060354
PMC
PMC4924195
OpenAlex
W2410915092
Cited by
114
References
7
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 16 · 2017: 11
FWCI
1.41
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Nutrients (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • UniSA Research Outputs Repository (University of South Australia) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • Adelaide Research & Scholarship (AR&S) (University of Adelaide) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
  • Government of South Australia
  • University of South Australia
  • National Health and Medical Research Council
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Dietary Effects on Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Diet and metabolism studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
Keywords
intermittent energy restriction, weight loss, long-term weight management, continuous energy restriction, serum lipids, glucose, insulin, energy expenditure, obesity
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Energy Intake, Diet, Reducing, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Obesity, Time Factors, Weight Loss, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Treatment Outcome, Young Adult

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