Highlights d 4-and 6-h time-restricted feeding regimens were tested in adults with obesity d Both regimens produce similar weight loss over the 2 months of the study d Both regimens reduce energy intake by 550 kcal per day without calorie counting d Both regimens produce similar reductions in insulin resistance and oxidative stress

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Objective This study compared the effects of alternate‐day fasting (ADF) with those of daily calorie restriction (CR) on body weight and glucoregulatory factors in adults with overweight or obesity and insulin resistance. Methods This secondary analysis examined the data of insulin‐resistant individuals (n = 43) who participated in a 12‐month study that compared ADF (25% energy needs on “fast days”; 125% energy needs on alternating “feast days”) with CR (75% energy needs every day) and a control group regimen. Results In insulin‐resistant participants, weight loss was not different between ADF (−8% ± 2%) and CR (−6% ± 1%) by month 12, relative to controls (P < 0.0001). Fat mass and BMI decreased (P < 0.05) similarly from ADF and CR. ADF produced greater decreases (P < 0.05) in fasting insulin (−52% ± 9%) and insulin resistance (−53% ± 9%) compared with CR (−14% ± 9%; −17% ± 11%) and the control regimen by month 12. Lean mass, visceral fat mass, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, C‐reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor α, and interleukin 6 values remained unchanged. Conclusions These findings suggest that ADF may produce greater reductions in fasting insulin and insulin resistance compared with CR in insulin‐resistant participants despite similar decreases in body weight.

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Background: Time restricted feeding is a form of intermittent fasting where participants shorten the daily window in which they eat. Aim: This is the first study to examine the effects of intermittent fasting on changes in the gut microbiome. Methods: Adults with obesity ( n = 14) participated in a daily 8-hour time restricted feeding intervention (8-hour feeding window/16-hour fasting window) for 12 weeks. Fecal microbiota were determined by 16 S rRNA (ribosomal ribonucleic acid) gene sequencing of stool samples. Results: Body weight decreased ( P < 0.05) by -2 ± 1 kg. Gut microbiota phylogenetic diversity remained unchanged. The two most common phyla were Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes accounting for 61.2% and 26.9% of total abundance at baseline. No significant alterations in the abundance of Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, or any other phyla were detected after 12 weeks of time restricted feeding. Conclusions: Time restricted feeding did not significantly alter the diversity or overall composition of the gut microbiome.