Energy balance
Twice-per-week intermittent fasting (5:2 diet) is not superior to continuous energy restriction for weight loss or insulin resistance in night shift workers, though it may offer specific lipid benefits.
For night shift workers, a 5:2 intermittent fasting plan (eating ~500 kcal on 2 non-consecutive days) is just as effective for weight loss as eating slightly less every day. It does not offer superior metabolic benefits like insulin sensitivity, but it may help lower LDL cholesterol. Choose the method that fits your schedule best, as adherence is key.
At 24 weeks, weight and HOMA-IR were not different between the modified IF groups compared with CER. ... the IF:2D group experienced reductions in total and LDL cholesterol.
Why this rating
High-quality RCT design, but sample size was reduced due to COVID-19, and the study was not powered to detect small differences.
Source
Intermittent fasting for weight loss in night shift workers: a three-arm, superiority randomised clinical trial
Maxine P. Bonham et al. · EBioMedicine · 2025
DOI 10.1016/j.ebiom.2025.105803
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