Can alternating feast and fast days beat daily dieting for lasting weight loss?
NCT ID NCT05184361
First seen Jul 22, 2026 · Last updated Jul 23, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests whether intermittent energy restriction (alternating normal and reduced-calorie days) works better than continuous daily calorie cutting for weight loss in women with obesity. Researchers will measure changes in body fat, muscle mass, and metabolic adaptation — the body's tendency to slow metabolism during weight loss. The goal is to find a diet pattern that helps women keep weight off long-term.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- intermittent energy restriction (IER) compared with continuous energy restriction (CER)
- What this could lead to
- If one diet pattern proves more effective, it could offer a better strategy for long-term weight loss and weight maintenance in obesity.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial with only 75 women, so results may not apply to men or other populations. Dietary adherence can vary, and metabolic adaptation may still limit long-term success.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for OBESITY are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
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
Show contact details
Enter your email to view the contact information for this study.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Locations
-
Faculdade de Motricidade Humana da Universidade de Lisboa
Cruz Quebrada, Lisbon District, 1495-751, Portugal
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Timing your meals or halving your rice: a new trial tests simple diet hacks for weight loss and blood sugar control
- Does injection location matter for a new Weight-Loss drug? a trial investigates
- Can a new drug boost Semaglutide's power against diabetes and obesity?
- Can a Normal-Weight baseline improve heart risk assessment in type 1 diabetes?
- Can popular Weight-Loss drugs alter breastmilk supply?
- A daily pill for obesity? zenagamtide faces its biggest test yet.