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Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Assessment of the Metabolic Effects of Isocaloric 2:1 Intermittent Fasting in Mice
Published on: November 27, 2019
A sex difference in the response to fasting
Modjtaba Zandian1, Ioannis Ioakimidis, Cecilia Bergh
1Karolinska Institutet, Section of Applied Neuroendocrinology, NVS, and Mandometer and Mandolean Clinics, AB Mando, S-141 04 Huddinge, Sweden.
Fasting alters eating patterns: women eat less with linear eating, while men eat more. Behavioral feedback normalized food intake, suggesting linear eating is a risk factor for anorexia nervosa.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Human Nutrition
- Eating Disorders Research
Background:
- Fasting and dieting can significantly impact food intake patterns.
- Individual differences in eating rates (linear vs. decelerated) exist.
- Understanding these patterns is crucial for addressing eating disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how fasting affects food intake patterns in women and men.
- To identify potential risk factors for abnormal eating behaviors, such as anorexia nervosa.
- To evaluate the efficacy of behavioral feedback in normalizing eating patterns.
Main Methods:
- Participants underwent a fasting period.
- Food intake and eating rates (linear vs. decelerated) were measured before and after fasting.
- Behavioral feedback was provided to some participants to normalize eating patterns.
Main Results:
- Women consumed 12% less food post-fasting, adopting more linear eating patterns.
- Men consumed 28% more food post-fasting, with more decelerated eating rates.
- Behavioral feedback successfully normalized food intake in both sexes.
Conclusions:
- Linear eating, often induced by dieting, is a potential risk factor for anorexia nervosa.
- Behavioral feedback is an effective strategy for normalizing eating patterns in individuals with weight management difficulties.
- Sex-specific responses to fasting highlight the complexity of eating regulation.
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