How does intermittent fasting stack up as a diet option for teens with obesity?

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-08-27 01:00

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Intermittent fasting may be as effective as a continuous low-calorie diet for teenagers with obesity going through an intensive weight management program, according to Australian research. The researchers examined the effectiveness of two different types of diets for 141 teens with obesity and an obesity-related health complications participating in a year-long randomised weight management trial comparing intermittent energy restriction (where eating is only allowed within a restricted time window) and continuous energy restriction (where a restricted amount of calories are allowed each day). After a year, the researchers say nearly 70% of the teens completed the program, including 43 in the intermittent group and 54 in the continuous group. Health improvements were similar for both groups, the researchers say, which shows intermittent fasting can be considered as another option for teenagers wanting an intensive obesity intervention. In a second paper on the same study, researchers monitored the teens' depression, eating disorder and binge eating symptoms before, during and after the study. They say symptoms were reduced for most, but some of the teens required additional support with their mental health.