Work

The effectiveness of self-directed meal replacement-assisted intermittent fasting in adults

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study examined whether the addition of meal replacement (MR)-assisted intermittent fasting increases the effectiveness of a lifestyle intervention. METHODS: In a nonrandomized intervention study, overweight and obese participants aged 18 to 60 years were recruited for weight management with MRs or lifestyle intervention alone (LIA) for 8 weeks. The outcomes were the percent change in body weight from baseline to weeks 4 and 8 and the associated changes in body composition (using a bioimpedance analyzer). Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were used to compare outcomes between groups. RESULTS: . At 4 weeks, the percent weight loss in the MR group was 6.3%, whereas it was 4.0% in the LIA group (P < 0.001). At 8 weeks, the percent weight loss in the MR group was 8.2%, whereas it was 5.8% in the LIA group (P = 0.004). The GEE models revealed no further differences in weight loss or related measurements between the groups, whereas the time effect was significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that lifestyle interventions can result in weight loss regardless of the use of MR-assisted intermittent fasting. This finding suggests that nutritional support needs to be provided during short-term weight loss interventions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry number: ChiCTR2500099520, Retrospectively registered 25 March 2025.

Source: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies

DOI: 10.1186/s12906-025-05016-4