Mixed
Intermittent fasting (IF) significantly reduces body weight, BMI, body fat mass, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides in Chinese adults compared to control groups, but does not significantly reduce waist circumference, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, fasting glucose, or blood pressure.
If you are Chinese and looking to lose weight or improve lipid profiles, intermittent fasting (like 16:8 TRE or 5:2) is an effective strategy. Expect a modest weight loss (around 2kg) and improvements in LDL and triglycerides. However, do not expect IF to significantly lower your blood pressure or fasting glucose on its own. Adherence may be challenging due to typical eating patterns, so choose a protocol that fits your lifestyle.
The IF intervention significantly reduced body weight, body mass index, body fat mass, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides when compared with control groups. However, no statistically significant reductions in waist circumference, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting glucose, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure were found.
Why this rating
Meta-analysis of 9 RCTs with 899 participants, but with high heterogeneity (I2 > 75% for some outcomes) and short durations in many studies.
Source
Effect of Intermittent Fasting on Cardiometabolic Health in the Chinese Population: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Katy Cheung et al. · Nutrients · 2024
DOI 10.3390/nu16030357
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