Fasting vs. counting calories: which works better for weight loss?
NCT ID NCT03411356
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether intermittent fasting (eating only during certain hours) helps people with obesity lose more weight than the traditional approach of cutting calories every day. Over one year, 165 adults followed either an intermittent fasting plan or a daily calorie goal, plus a group weight-loss program and exercise. The main goal was to see how much weight each group lost.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
intermittent fasting (IMF) and daily caloric restriction (DCR) as behavioral interventions
What this could lead to
If successful, this study could show that intermittent fasting is a practical and effective alternative to daily calorie counting for weight loss in people with obesity.
What could go wrong
This is a completed trial, but results may not apply to everyone with obesity, especially those with other health conditions. Weight loss can vary, and long-term maintenance is uncertain.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Kristen Bing
Aurora, Colorado, 80045, United States