The effects of time restricted feeding on weight loss and other changes of anthropometric parameters among physically active individuals

Abstract

Aims

As one of the intermittent fasting dietary strategies, Time Restricted Feeding (TRF) has received attention in recent years. However, the relationship between TRF and physical activity is unclear. The purpose of this article is to systematically review the effects of TRF dietary strategies on body weight and other anthropometric parameters in physically active individuals. The English literature in the PubMed database were searched and screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Methods and results

Ultimately, 6 studies were included for meta-analysis. All studies were 16/8 TRF protocol, and the duration was 4–10 weeks. The study found that after the intervention, compared with the control group (normal diet), the participants had a significant decrease in body mass (MD: –3.08; 95% CI: –5.29 to –0.86; P = 0.006; I²: 0%) and fat mass (MD: –1.79; 95% CI: –2.61 to –0.97; P < 0.0001; I²: 0%), and there was no difference in fat-free mass (MD: –1.04; 95% CI: –3.24 to 1.17; P = 0.36; I²: 0%). TRF intervention also resulted in decreased testosterone levels in participants, but the effect on cortisol and IGF-1 is not clear.

Conclusion

TRF combined with exercise may lead to healthier weight loss, but more experiments are needed to prove whether long-term fasting strategy is effective.