INTERMITTENT FASTING (5:2) VS. NON-FASTING: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ANTHROPOMETRIC PARAMETERS, DEPRESSION, AND...

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Dietary Interventions
• Metabolic Health

Background:

• Intermittent fasting, specifically the 5:2 diet, is a popular strategy for weight management and improving metabolic health.
• Understanding the nutritional and psychological effects of the 5:2 diet is crucial for public health guidance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare anthropometric and nutritional profiles between individuals following the 5:2 intermittent fasting diet (IF 5:2) and non-fasting individuals.
• To assess differences in depressive symptoms and stress levels between the two groups.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 71 participants (35 IF 5:2, 36 non-fasting), matched for age and gender.
• Data collection included questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, dietary surveys (24-hour recall, dietary habits), and validated scales for anxiety, depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale), and stress (Perceived Stress Scale).

Main Results:

• No significant differences in weight or BMI were observed between the groups.
• Fasting individuals consumed lower levels of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates, while non-fasting individuals had higher intake of potassium, phosphorus, and sugars.
• The IF 5:2 group reported fewer depressive symptoms (p=0.04), but stress levels were comparable (p=0.19).

Conclusions:

• The 5:2 intermittent fasting diet significantly alters nutritional intake compared to habitual diets.
• The IF 5:2 diet may be associated with reduced depressive symptoms, warranting further investigation.