Question 2
In the
supplemental study article, the researchers divided the participants into two
groups: fasting calorie restriction (300-500 kcal/day reduction plus 2 days a
week of Muslim Sunnah fasting) and the control group. They concluded that the
fasting calorie restriction group had greater weight loss and metabolic benefits.
How, if at all, do you think the results would vary if they had a third group
that was only following an alternate day fasting regimen, meaning they consumed
no calories from food or beverages 2-3 days a week and ate ad libitum the other
days of the week?
posted by Unknown @ 1:33 PM
13 comments
13 Comments:
Based on the findings of the Patterson et al. study, I think we would have seen similar results as the fasting calorie restricted group of the supplemental study article. According to the results of the Patterson study, participants of the alternate day fasting studies showed modest weight loss and also some positive effects on the metabolic parameters. It was also noted that the participants of the studies were of normal weight so it might not have shown as realistic of a picture of the impact of metabolic parameters compared to studies with participants of overweight or obese status. However, it was also mentioned that it may not be a feasible diet approach due to the reported feelings of hunger on fasted days. Therefore, I wonder if, perhaps, participants would not have adhered to this diet or might have dropped out in the study.
I have a question and clarification point for Steph with this question - In my previous research of Intermittent Fasting, when clients complete fasting days they are not restricting caloric intake by 100%. Typically people will fulfill a weekly combination of ad libitum eating days and fasting days that provide an individual with 25% of their daily caloric requirements. Did you find research where alternate day fasting groups completely restricted their intake by 100%?
When comparing the two experimental groups, I would expect that the groups would experience similar results in regards to weight loss. However, results from other Intermittent Fasting studies typically find significantly better improvements in other physiologic health markers when compared to other calorie restriction diets. It would certainly be an interesting variable to add to the study to see if Alternate Day Fasting would be a more effective approach to control aging.
I think the the two experimental groups would experience similar weight loss results. However, I think restricting food completely 2-3 days a week and eating ad libitum the rest of the days would be more challenging to maintain than the fasting calorie restriction group parameters. Therefore, the completely restricted group would most likely have a harder time continuing the diet long term.
To prove intermittent fasting diets as effective for weight loss I agree with Amanda that adherence rates of these diets need to be analyzed. Long term studies on intermittent fasting will help better determine if these diets are actually effective in regards to weight loss.
Jen brought up an interesting point that intermittent fasting studies typically find significantly better improvements in other physiologic health markers compared to other calorie restriction diets. I wonder if in these studies the non fasting days were tightly controlled on what the client's diet could consist of. I say this because I feel that many clients would binge eat on unhealthy foods they were craving on the days when they were allowed to eat. Therefore I would think certain health markers would actually get worse rather than improve. Overall, I think intermittent fasting is a fairly new concept and needs to be further researched to determine the exact impact it has on weight loss and other health markers.
And Jenn has two "ns". My bad don't know how to edit this :)
Jenn-
I am glad you brought this up. Yes, in this study, the definition of "complete alternate day fasting" was no energy-containing foods or beverages consumed. Whereas, a "modified fasting regimen" allows for consumption of 20%-25% of energy needs on scheduled fasting days. So this article touches on both!
I forgot that you did this for you project in class! You mentioned during your presentation that you were going to try the 5:2 diet over break, did you end up trying that? If so, what were your results and did you have any side effects from your "fasting days" such as headaches, irritability or anything else?
I agree with Carly that the completely restricted diet group would most likely have more issues with compliance, especially when compared to the subjects of the Muslim Sunnah fasting group.
I think that the faster's motivation would play an important role in the study's outcomes. I could see how regular 2-3 day/ week fasting for the sake of weight loss could leave someone feeling deprived, irritable, and hangry.
On the other hand, I think that one may be better able to handle potential negative [emotional and mood related] effects if their fasting behaviors were motivated by spiritual and religious benefits.
As far as short term weight loss numbers go, I think the FCR group and the 2-3 fasting days/ week group would demonstrate similarly significant weight loss statistics.
The calorie restriction on the feed days would likely boost weight loss versus having ad libitum feed days in the ADF protocol. Any reduction in intake potentiates weight loss. Weight loss generally results in positive metabolic effects. The real question would be if the positive effects were uniquely related to the fasting pattern.
I think weight loss would be similar for the fasting calorie restricted diet and alternate day fasting based on previous research. I think the effect on metabolic markers would be similar or the alternate day fasting diet would result in a greater effect on improving metabolic markers. Our bodies are designed to consume food, store it for later use, and slowly use the supply until the next meal to supply the body with more stores again, therefore, I think alternate day fasting would produce better results metabolically if there is any difference. However, I think more likely the difference between the two methods are insignificant. Additionall, I can imagine fasting calorie restriction would be easier to adhere to if the alternate day fasting requires days of no food or beverage.
I agree with Gina, that most likely the participants who were able to eat ad libitum on feed days would not lose as much weight as those who were not. Those who were able to ad libitum eat might experience more binge eating on their days they can eat making it difficult for them to lose. I also believe that those who had to restrict during their eating days would have a harder time adhering to the protocol.
I also agree with Gina and Sophie that the third participant group that would be ad libitum would not lose as much weight. I feel that any calorie deficits found during the 2-3 days of calorie restriction would in turn balance out more evenly through possibly consuming more calories on their ad libitum days. There may be very little control exhibited overall during these days and it would make things very difficult to maintain the weight lost.
In my mind it's hard to say what the results would have been, but if I had to guess, I'd say the results would probably be quite similar to the results observed from the FCR group (e.g. improved metabolic parameters, weight loss). Vivian brings up a good point that if we look at our bodies from an evolutionary standpoint, our ancestors pretty much ate when food was available and fasted until they could find or produce more of it (feast and fast, feast and fast). This was not done by choice obviously, but by necessity (no Hy-Vee or Burger King in the Stone Age...). Whether or not the more recent times have caused alterations in our abilities to keep up with, or benefit from, such a practice in the long term is up for debate (hence our discussions here).
Also, Desiray makes a great point about compliance issues with an ADF program. I never even thought of that, but it makes total sense that compliance would be much easier if the fasting was tied to a religious or spiritual belief compared to being motivated solely by weight loss and/or improvements in metabolic parameters. Religion is a very powerful concept, and may serve as a much stronger motivator than other factors. Great point about motivators for long-term compliance.
If I had to try to predict the results I would agree with John and Sophie that the group that is eating ad libitum on certain days would not lose as much weight. I think that those results would only be logical to me because they will be consuming more calories on the ad libitum days. I agree with Amanda that it would be difficult to follow a fasting diet where no calories would be consumed especially for a longer period of time.
I thought Gina brought up a really great point about how it would be difficult to detect whether the positive metabolic effects are a result of the fasting. It would not be easy to pinpoint those results. As Vivian mentioned, the way our bodies are designed to hold onto the energy during times of need which would make sense that the alternate day fasting approach might yield better results. I guess I would need to see a study of this nature to truly know the difference in results, if there are any.
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