Adults with overweight or obesity in Japan who use a brief web and mobile program based on intermittent fasting and meal support lose weight.
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A brief web-based and mobile intervention of intermittent fasting with meal support causes weight loss in adults with overweight and obesity in Japan.
Very strong evidence
Mixed evidence3 high-quality studies support this claim.
What the research says
3 studies reviewedSupporting (3)
Randomized Controlled TrialHuman2026
In a small study, adults in Japan who used a phone app and got free low-calorie meals one day a week lost about 1.6 kg more than those who just got health tips. So yes, this kind of digital fasting program helped people lose weight.
The Effect of 4:3 Intermittent Fasting on Weight Loss at 12 Months
Randomized Controlled TrialHuman2025
People who followed a plan of eating very little on 3 days a week and eating normally on the other 4 days lost more weight than those who ate less every day — and they stuck with it better. This shows that intermittent fasting with support can help people lose weight.
Cohort StudyHuman2025
People who followed a plan of eating normally for 4 days and cutting calories for 3 days lost weight, especially when they ate less out of emotion and thought more about their food choices. This shows that intermittent fasting with support can help people lose weight.
Contradicting (0)
No contradicting studies found yet
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When a person eats less on certain days, their body stops producing as much insulin. With less insulin, fat cells release stored fat into the blood to be used for energy. The body burns this fat instead of glucose, leading to weight loss over time.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 3 supporting studies
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