Can Intermittent Fasting Mimic the Metabolic and Cardiovascular and Anti-aging Effects of Calorie Restriction? (IF)
Obesity, Overweight

About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Obesity focused on measuring intermittent fasting, obesity, calorie restriction
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- The participants in this study will be 50 men and women in the 30 to 65 year age range, who have a BMI in the high normal to moderately obese range (i.e. 24 to 35 kg/m2),
- Participants who are eating usual US diets and are sedentary to moderately active (i.e. not exercise trained).
Exclusion Criteria:
- History of any chronic disease process that could interfere with interpretation of results
- Smoking, pregnancy, alcoholism, psychiatric problems, life situations that would interfere with study participation and compliance.
Sites / Locations
- Washington University School of Medicine
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Other
Experimental
Control group
Intermittent Fasting group
The participants randomized to the crossover group begin study participation as a control group (no changes in food intake) for the first 6 months and switch to IF for the remaining 6 months of the study.
Participant with a BMI between 28 and 35 kg/m2 will fast 3 non-consecutive days per week, whereas participant with a BMI between 24 and 27.9 kg/m2 will fast 2 non-consecutive days per week. Individuals following intermittent fasting (IF) will work with the study dietitian to design their weekly meal plans and menus for the non-fasting days. The subjects following IF will be asked to skip breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and calorie-containing beverages on the fast days, but we will give them the option to consume at dinner a big salad (i.e. non-starchy raw and/or cooked vegetables dressed with 2 tablespoons of salad dressing prepared with vegetable oil, vinegar and seasonings).