REVIEW   

Minerva Endocrinology 2023 September;48(3):334-45

DOI: 10.23736/S2724-6507.21.03596-X

Copyright © 2021 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

An alternative approach to obesity treatment: intermittent fasting

Caner ÖZYILDIRIM ✉, Asli UÇAR

Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ankara University, Ankara, Türkiye

Overweight and obesity are an important public health problem that affects a significant part of the world population and increases the risk of many metabolic diseases. Weight loss is the primary goal in obesity treatment, and many different dietary interventions are tried for this purpose. Intermittent fasting is a diet that has become popular in recent years with the weight loss it provides and includes periods of fasting and feeding. In addition to providing weight loss, intermittent fasting also has positive effects on important risk factors such as glucoregulatory parameters, blood lipids, and oxidative stress. Intermittent fasting appears to be an effective and safe way to achieve weight loss in obesity. It could also have therapeutic effects on obesity-related diseases. The aim of this review was to bring together up-to-date information on the effects of intermittent fasting on obesity and various obesity-related diseases, mechanisms of action, possible benefits and harms, and potential uses.

KEY WORDS: Fasting; Caloric restriction; Obesity; Therapeutics; Diet