Protein intake during intermittent calorie restriction
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effect of a high versus standard protein diet on calorie restricted days on self-selected food intake on unrestricted days during an intermittent calorie restricted diet and changes in body composition and glucose tolerance in overweight and obese women.
IRAS ID
192064
Contact name
Ian Walshe
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Stirling
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Daily calorie restriction is common to many people with the aim of weight loss, but often results in low adherence. Intermittent fasting is the restriction of calories for a specified time period. Intermittent fasting requires individuals to control their calorie intake for part of the week rather than everyday so may be easier to adhere to than daily calorie restriction. When carried out for several weeks, intermittent fasting is as effective as daily calorie restriction for weight loss (Varady, 2011).
A typical intermittent fasting protocol involves one day of reduced energy intake followed by 2-3 days of habitual energy intake, however, there is a lack of research investigating whether the type of food consumed on fast days influences food intake on non-fasting days. Protein intake is well known for its satiety effects. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate if increased protein intake on fast days influences food intake on non-fasting days. In addition, the study will investigate the changes in body composition and glucose tolerance. We hypothesis that a high protein diet on fast days will improve satiety and adherence to the diet, therefore reducing compensatory eating on non-fast days.
Overweight and obese sedentary women will undergo an intermittent calorie restricted diet for 10 weeks. Participants will be assigned to either a high or standard protein diet during the protocol. Outcome measures that will be assessed are habitual energy intake, adherence, body composition and glucose tolerance.REC name
East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 2
REC reference
15/ES/0199
Date of REC Opinion
10 Dec 2015
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion