Efeito da alimentação com tempo restrito sobre parâmetros metabólicos, inflamatórios e peso em mulheres com sobrepeso e obesidade.

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity is a chronic disease characterized by the excess of adipose tissue. Negative energy balance, with daily caloric restriction, increase in physical activity or both is the most used non-pharmacological strategy in obesity treatment, but factors such as adherence and metabolic adaptations may interfere in the success of this intervention. Thus, other strategies need to be developed, and fasting has become popular as a strategy for weight loss. Different fasting protocols have been used, like time restricted eating, that is, restricted the eating window to a few hours a day. Objective: To evaluate the effects of a nutritional intervention with time restricted eating (8 horas) associated with caloric restriction in metabolic, inflammatory, anthropometric, and behavioral parameters in women with overweight and obesity. Methods: This is a parallel-arm randomized clinical trial and it took place in an outpatient clinic located at Instituto Alfa de Gastroenterologia do Hospital das Clínicas, UFMG. The sample consisted of women aged between 18 and 59 years of age, and Body Mass Index  25 kg/m2. The participants were randomized in two groups: fasting group and non-fasting group, with a 2:1 allocation ratio. We carried out a first assessment and three reassessments, with anthropometric, body composition, resting metabolic rate, food consumption evaluation, questionnaires for mental disorders and blood collection. Statistical analysis were carried out with the aid of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20.0, adopting a significance level of 5%. Results: Thirty-six women were included in the study, 24 in the fasting group and 12 in the non-fasting group. The reduction of the eating window leads to body weight, fat mass and fat-free mass loss. However, these body composition alterations were not associated with changes in resting metabolic rate, metabolic and inflammatory profile, and eating or mood disorders. Conclusion: The association between a smaller eating window and caloric restriction could optimize the weight loss, without influencing behavioral, metabolic and inflammatory parameters.