The Claim

In adults with overweight or obesity, a 12-month 4:3 intermittent fasting regimen results in no statistically significant difference in fasting levels of leptin, ghrelin, peptide YY, adiponectin, or brain-derived neurotrophic factor compared to daily caloric restriction when energy deficits and weight loss are matched.

Source: Effects of 4:3 Intermittent Fasting on Eating Behaviors and Appetite Hormones: A Secondary Analysis of a 12-Month Behavioral Weight Loss Intervention

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
63score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Description
1 study reviewed
In plain English

In adults with overweight or obesity, following a 4:3 intermittent fasting schedule for 12 months produces the same changes in fasting levels of leptin, ghrelin, peptide YY, adiponectin, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor as daily calorie restriction, when total calorie intake and weight loss are the same.

See the scientific wording

In adults with overweight or obesity, a 12-month 4:3 intermittent fasting regimen does not produce different changes in fasting levels of leptin, ghrelin, peptide YY, adiponectin, or brain-derived neurotrophic factor compared to daily caloric restriction, despite matched energy deficits and weight loss.

Why this might work

When the body loses weight due to reduced calorie intake, fat tissue shrinks and sends out fewer hunger signals and more fullness signals, no matter if the calories are cut every day or only on some days. The total amount of weight lost determines how much these signals change, not when or how often food is eaten.

Verified mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Effects of 4:3 Intermittent Fasting on Eating Behaviors and Appetite Hormones: A Secondary Analysis of a 12-Month Behavioral Weight Loss Intervention

    Both diets led to the same changes in hunger and fullness hormones, even though one was done by eating less every day and the other by eating normally on some days and fasting on others. So, the type of diet didn’t change the hormones differently.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.