Background: Intermittent fasting may be an effective tool for weight loss, but it is still unclear from previous studies to date whether it is as effective as a continuous energy restriction in terms of reducing adipose tissue and whether it leads to unwanted muscle loss. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of intermittent fasting (IF) with continuous energy restriction (CER) on the body weight and body composition and to assess the effect of intermittent fasting also in isolation from the energy restriction. Methods: After completion of a three-week dietary intervention, differences in the weight loss and differences in the body composition were compared between three groups. The first group consumed 75% of their calculated energy intake requirements in a six-hour time window. The second group consumed 75% of their calculated energy intake requirements without a time window and the third group consumed 100% of their calculated energy intake requirements in a six-hour time window. The changes in the weight and body composition were assessed by BIA. Results: Of the 95 randomized participants, 75 completed the intervention phase of the study. The highest mean weight loss was achieved by the IF with ER (energy restriction) group (2.3 ± 1.4 kg), followed by the CER group (2.2 ± 1.1 kg); the difference between the groups did not reach statistical significance. The lowest mean weight loss was observed in the IF without ER group (1.1 ± 1.2 kg), the difference reaching statistical significance compared to the IF with ER (p=0.003) and CER (p=0.012) groups. The highest mean adipose tissue loss was observed in the CER group (1.5 ± 1.2 kg) followed by the IF with ER group (1.3 ± 1.1 kg), with no statistically significant differences between the groups. A mean adipose tissue loss was found in the IF without ER group (0.9 ± 1.1 kg) with no statistically significant differences compared to the IF with ER and CER groups. The highest mean fat-free mass loss was found in the IF with ER group (1.1 ± 1.0 kg), followed by the CER group (0.65 ± 0.91 kg) with no statistically significant differences. The IF without ER group showed the lowest mean fat-free mass loss (0.2 ± 1.3 kg), which reached statistical significance compared to the IF with ER group (p=0.027). Conclusion: The results showed a comparable effect in the weight loss and body fat reduction regardless of the timing of the food intake. The diet quality, together with the energy intake, appeared to be one of the most important factors influencing the body composition.

• Keywords
• body fat mass, energy restriction, intermittent fasting, skeletal muscle mass, time-restricted feeding, visceral fat,
• MeSH
• Anthropometry MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Energy Intake * physiology   MeSH
• Weight Loss * physiology   MeSH
• Body Mass Index MeSH
• Caloric Restriction * methods   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Obesity diet therapy   physiopathology   MeSH
• Fasting * physiology   MeSH
• Intermittent Fasting MeSH
• Body Composition * physiology   MeSH
• Body Weight physiology   MeSH
• Adipose Tissue MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Randomized Controlled Trial MeSH

Background: The regularity of eating, together with other nutritional factors, is one of the important determinants of health. According to previous studies, it is not clear if a greater fluctuation in energy intake is associated with higher body fat and weight gain, or if the weight of people is stable despite these fluctuations in the energy intake. The aim of the study was to verify if a higher variability in the energy intake each day of the week is related to the amount of body fat and other anthropometric parameters. Methods: A total of 220 (151 women, 69 men) individuals of Czech Caucasian origin with a BMI of 18.3-58 kg/m2, aged 21.7-79.7 were included in the study. Selected anthropometric characteristics were measured using a bioelectrical impedance analysis. 7-day food records were completed and analyzed using nutritional software. The measured values were statistically evaluated by multiple linear regression analysis. Results: The results of the multiple linear regression showed the statistically significant dependence of the percentage of body fat (p<0.01), BMI (p<0.01), and waist circumference (p<0.05) on the relative variability of the daily energy intake. Conclusions: The results of our study suggest that people with more regular energy intake also have better anthropometric parameters related to their cardiometabolic health.

• Keywords
• 7-day food records, BMI, bioelectrical impedance, energy intake, percentage of body fat, variability in energy intake,
• MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Electric Impedance MeSH
• Energy Intake * physiology   MeSH
• Body Mass Index * MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Waist Circumference MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Body Composition * physiology   MeSH
• Adipose Tissue MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH