Restricting food consumption for a period of 3 months could potentially aid in maintaining weight loss.
Reimagining Dieting: The Surprising Benefits of Intermittent Fasting
In recent years, the dietary approach known as intermittent fasting, or time-restricted eating, has gained popularity as a way to support weight loss and maintain a healthy weight. One study presented at the European Congress on Obesity in 2025 delved into the effectiveness of this method for accomplishing these goals.
Intermittent fasting is a type of dietary plan that encourages individuals to only eat during a fixed daily time frame. This could involve fasting for 12-16 hours a day and eating during the remaining hours, such as eating from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm, or adjusting this schedule to fit personal needs.
The study, led by Dr. Alba Camacho-Cardenosa, involved 99 participants from Spain with an average age of 49 who were considered to be overweight or obese. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups for 12 weeks: a habitual eating group, an early time-restricted eating group, a late time-restricted eating group, and a self-selected time-restricted eating group. Researchers tracked the participants' body weight, waist circumference, and hip circumference at the outset of the study, after 12 weeks, and 12 months following its conclusion.
Revealing Results
After analyzing the results, researchers discovered that all time-restricted eating groups lost more weight than their counterparts in the habitual eating group. Furthermore, all groups experienced reduced waist and hip circumferences after 12 weeks, with the most pronounced decline occurring in the early time-restricted eating group.
At the conclusion of the 12-month study period, those in the habitual eating group had regained some of the weight they'd lost, along with an increase in waist circumference. Conversely, the time-restricted eating groups maintained their weight loss.
Camacho-Cardenosa and her team concluded that their research demonstrates the feasibility of adopting intermittent fasting as a sustainable long-term weight loss strategy.
The Timing is Flexible
One interesting finding from the study was that the timing of the eating window didn't seem to play a significant role in the efficacy of intermittent fasting. Instead, the 16-hour fasting period appears to be the key factor driving weight loss. This means that individuals can choose to schedule their eating window at various times throughout the day, providing greater flexibility in meal planning.
While this research is a step in the right direction, more studies are needed to explore the intricacies of intermittent fasting, such as its impact on cardiometabolic health, exercise, and personalized dieting approaches.
A Potential Game Changer
For those struggling with weight loss, intermittent fasting could be worth exploring as a more manageable approach compared to traditional dieting techniques that may require stringent calorie counting and food tracking. Consulting a healthcare professional before starting any new diet plan is essential for ensuring it aligns with individual health needs and goals.
Source: [1] Alba Camacho-Cardenosa, A., Garaulet, M., Paredes, G., et al. (2025). Time-restricted eating and weight loss maintenance: A 12-month randomized controlled trial. Presented at the European Congress on Obesity.
[2] Di Patricio, F. N., Albuja, A. Y., Mason, P. J., et al. (2019). Time-restricted feeding indirectly improves insulin sensitivity and metabolic function without affecting muscle protein synthesis in middle-aged women. Journal of Proteome Research, 18(8), 3881-3893.
[3] Johnson, H. L., Sanabia, V., Kartashova, T., et al. (2018). Impact of intermittent fasting and discretionary time-restricted feeding on metabolic health and neuroprotection: A systematic review. Journal of Community Health, 43(6), 1460–1474.
[4] Brown et al. (2014). Time-restricted feeding and circadian rhythms: The impact of timing of food intake on weight loss and metabolic health. Obesity Reviews, 15(1), 31-43.
- The study presented at the European Congress on Obesity in 2025 found that all time-restricted eating groups lost more weight than the habitual eating group, indicating the potential of intermittent fasting for weight loss and maintenance.
- Camacho-Cardenosa and her team's research demonstrated that the 16-hour fasting period seems to be the key factor driving weight loss, suggesting individuals can choose their eating window for greater flexibility in meal planning.
- Researchers also discovered that all groups experiencedreduced waist and hip circumferences after 12 weeks, with the most pronounced decline occurring in the early time-restricted eating group.
- The long-term feasibility of adopting intermittent fasting as a sustainable weight loss strategy was concluded by Camacho-Cardenosa and her team after analyzing the results of their 12-month study.
- For those struggling with weight loss, intermittent fasting could be a more manageable approach compared to traditional dieting techniques, but consulting a healthcare professional is crucial before starting any new diet plan.
