Effects of alternate-day fasting on body composition, fasting blood glucose and resting blood pressure on young men

• Main Author: Nur, Rashiqah
• Other Authors: Yang Yifan
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: DRNTU::Science
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/70143
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Background: The ability of an alternate-day fasting (ADF; 400 – 600 kcal calorie intake on fast day and ad libitum on feed day) to facilitate weight loss in young men with body mass index (BMI) ≥23 kg/m2 for 4 weeks remains unknown. Purpose: The present study examined the effects of ADF on body composition, fasting blood glucose and resting blood pressure in young men with BMI ≥23 kg/m2 for 4 weeks. Methods: Thirteen young men (age 21 – 35) participated in the present study and completed a 4-week (28 days) ADF program. Subjects were only allowed to consume 400 – 600 kcal meal(s) and ad libitum intake of plain water and/or zero-calorie beverages on fast day (24h), and ad libitum food and beverages on feed day (24h). Body compositions were measured on sessions 1 and 5 using bio-impedance analysis (BIA). Fasting blood glucose, resting blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were measured on all sessions (1 – 5). Results: After 4-week of ADF program, there was a significant decrease in body mass (P <0.001) by 1.88 [1.24, 2.51], free fat mass (P = 0.040) by 0.89 [0.05, 1.74], body fat mass (P = 0.007) by 0.99 [0.33, 1.65]. Fasting blood glucose increased (P = 0.017) and diastolic blood pressure decreased from baseline (P = 0.012). Conclusion: These findings suggest that a 4-week ADF is an effective weight loss program through an equivalent loss of fat free mass and body fat mass in young men with BMI ≥23 kg/m2. Keywords: Alternate-day fasting, body fat mass, body mass, fasting blood glucose, fat free mass, resting blood pressure, weight loss