Weight loss: calorie reduction more effective than intermittent fasting

in collaboration with

Alexandra Murcier (Liberal dietitian-nutritionist)

Stopping eating at certain times of the day – as is the case with intermittent fasting – would not be so effective for weight loss. At least that’s the conclusion of a new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Overall calorie intake is the main factor in weight gain

As part of this survey, the researchers recruited 547 candidates aged 51 on average. All had to complete a questionnaire daily via a specialized application (type of food consumed, sleep, meal times, etc.) – but also respond to a health survey at the start of the study and after four months.

Important detail: their body mass index was 30.8 (index indicating obesity).

Additionally, the average time between waking up and eating breakfast was 1.6 hours; mean time from dinner to bedtime was 4.0 hours; and the average sleep time was 7.5 hours. Finally, the time elapsed between the candidates’ first meal and the last was 11.5 hours.

Result ? The researchers found “a link between increased meal frequency and quantity and weight gain, indicating that overall calorie intake is the primary driver of weight gain.”

Nevertheless, further research is needed to confirm these initial findings.

Intermittent fasting is not the key to weight loss

If Alexandra Murcier, dietitian-nutritionist, validates the overall idea of ​​the study, she wishes to clarify “that intermittent fasting is not meant to lose weight and has never been synonymous with a calorie deficit“.

She also points out that while the use of the youngster has been diverted in recent years, its primary purpose is indeed to “put the digestive system to rest“.

Also be careful not to fall into the trap of overly restrictive diets.