Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40369509›Full record

SynthesisBMC endocrine disorders2025

Effect of intermittent fasting on obesity and metabolic indices in patients with metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and meta analysis.

Shengxuan Zhang, Bixuan Sun, Lei Sun, Shijian Zou, Qilan Chen

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC endocrine disorders, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
  3. Review
  4. Review
  5. Review
  6. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Shengxuan ZhangDepartment of Cardiology, Hangzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310007, China.
Bixuan SunDepartment of Cardiology, Hangzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310007, China.
Lei SunDepartment of Gastroenterology, Hangzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310007, China.
Shijian ZouDepartment of Cardiology, Hangzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310007, China.
Qilan ChenDepartment of Cardiology, Hangzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310007, China. cql13588750941@qq.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveDietary patterns play a vital role in the health management of individuals with metabolic syndrome. Many recent studies have shown that intermittent fasting (IF) has better effects, such as improving obesity. Nevertheless, it warrants further investigation to determine which approach is more effective in comparison to continuous energy restriction (CR), particularly when total calorie intake shows minimal variation. Consequently, it is crucial to evaluate the degree of enhancement of the two dietary patterns concerning different aspects of metabolic syndrome. This study presents a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aimed at comparing the impacts of IF and CR on obesity and glucolipid metabolism in individuals diagnosed with metabolic syndrome.

methodsIn August 2024, a thorough examination of English-language literature was performed across the PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. The meta-analyses was performed according to the established guidelines and reported the results. Weight change, Body Mass Index (BMI) change, and triglyceride (TG) level change were designated as key assessment indicators, while blood pressure, blood glucose, hip circumference, and waist circumference served as supplementary indicators for comparative analysis.

resultA total of nine studies involving 626 patients were analyzed, focusing on the influence of dietary patterns on obesity, cholesterol levels, and insulin resistance among individuals diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. Both dietary patterns were beneficial for patients with metabolic syndrome. However, IF was better than CRin terms of improvement in obesity over the trial period (mean -1.77, 95% CI [-3.06, -0.48]), and it was more conducive to a reduction in TG levels, which was beneficial in terms of improving insulin resistance (mean -10.16, 95% CI [-18.88, -1.45]).

conclusionGiven its notable advantages for obesity, lipids, and insulin resistance, along with improved patient adherence, IF may be regarded as a more effective dietary approach for individuals with metabolic syndrome. Nonetheless, the long-term effectiveness still necessitates additional validation. PROSPERO REGISTRATION: CRD42024587335.

Indexed as

FastingMetabolic SyndromeObesityBody Mass IndexCaloric RestrictionHumansInsulin ResistanceIntermittent FastingRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicContinuous Energy RestrictionIntermittent FastingMeta analysisMetabolic SyndromeObesitySystematic Review

Identifiers

PMID40369509
PMCPMC12076832

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.