Effect of 5:2 Intermittent Fasting Diet for Weight Loss among Overweight and obese College Students

Abstract

Objective: A study was designed to determine whether 5:2 intermittent fating diet intervention (IF 5:2 diet) benefits the weight loss among overweight and obese college students. Methods: Nine subjects with BMI>24 were maintained for 4-week IF 5:2 diet in which they ate restrictedly twice a week, while women or men consuming respectively less than 500 or 700 calories on the fasting days from September 2020 to January 2021. The first four weeks were the control phase, while the last four weeks were the intervention phase, with IF 5:2 diet. Results: All indexes measured were no significant difference during the control phase (P>0.05). In the intervention phase, reductions in body weight (2.678±2.230kg) waist circumference (3.389±2.868cm), hip circumference (2.733±2.560cm), BMI (0.875±0.667) and waist-to-height ratio (0.019±0.015) were observed (P<0.05); change of waist-to-hip ratio was not significant (P>0.05). Change of the average number of exercise steps, heart rate and sleep scores were not significant (P>0.05). The fullness on the light fasting day increased significantly (P<0.05), but there were no significant differences in hunger, satisfaction, mood and persistence confidence (P>0.05). Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that a 4-week IF 5:2 diet has a significant weight loss effect for overweight and obese college students, which effectively improves their body shape, without suffering from hunger for a long time. This diet pattern, with high safety and value, suggests a novel approach for weight loss among overweight and obese college students.