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The effects of intermittent fasting on sleep quality and cardiometabolic health outcomes in adults with overweight/obesity status: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Year: 2025
Type: review
Abstract: Obesity is associated with several cardiovascular risk factors, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) development and poorer sleep quality. While diet-induced weight reduction can improve sleep quality, traditional dietary strategies may be challenging and restrictive to maintain. Intermittent fasting (IF) diets offer an alternative, less prescriptive intervention to improve cardiometabolic health markers, though their specific effects on sleep quality are unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the effects of IF on sleep and cardiometabolic outcomes associated with OSA risk among adults with overweight/obesity. Eighteen randomized controlled trials (25 comparisons) that compared IF (n = 15 time-restricted eating (TRE); n = 3 alternate-day modified fasting (ADMF)), vs ad libitum eating were identified. Compared to ad libitum eating, TRE and ADMF interventions produced greater reductions in weight, BMI, fat mass, waist circumference, daily energy intake, and diastolic blood pressure. Sleep quality was assessed as a secondary outcome in 15/16 studies. No overall effects of IF on sleep relative to ad libitum eating were observed, despite improvements in weight. This analysis supports IF interventions as an alternative to continuous energy restriction for improving cardiometabolic health in populations with obesity and sleep disturbances, such as OSA. Studies are needed to specifically evaluate the effects of IF on sleep.
DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2025.102193
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $5,950
OpenAlex ID: W4415681371
FWCI:
Cites: 59
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Related to: 10