Author(s) | |
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Abstract |
Obesity is a leading health problem in the United States, despite the abundance of weight-loss programs available. There is an increasing interest in weight-loss methods that use time-restricted feeding, including intermittent fasting, where days of limited food access are alternated with days of normal food intake. To determine the benefits of intermittent fasting to obesity, we employed a rat model of inherent leanness and obesity, with the lean rats being more physically active (high-capacity runners) than the obesity-prone (low-capacity runners). Our hypothesis stated that intermittent fasting would induce loss of fat and lean mass in both rat types with the obesity-prone rats losing more body weight. Body weight and composition were measured before intermittent fasting in lean and obesity-prone male rats (n=8/group). Rats were allowed free access to food on fed days, alternating with fasting days (no calories consumed). Rats were weighed daily and the body composition was analyzed weekly using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (EchoMRI). All rats lost weight over eight weeks of intermittent fasting. Obesity-prone rats lost significantly more fat mass and body weight compared to the lean rats, whereas loss of lean mass differed by only a few grams. Results were similar in female rats but contrasted with previous findings when weight loss was induced using 50% calorie restriction. Compared to standard calorie restriction, intermittent fasting decreased the loss of lean mass while enhancing the loss of fat mass. Intermittent fasting was thus found to be successful in inducing weight loss in obese rats. |
Format | |
Publication Date |
2017-03-21
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Contributor(s) |
Faculty Mentor
Ms. Ashley Davis Dr. Colleen Novak
Dr. Gail Fraizer
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Subject | |
Modified Abstract |
Obesity is a leading health problem in the United States. One method to fight obesity is intermittent fasting, where days of limited food access are alternated with days of normal food availability. We employed a rat model of leanness (high-capacity runners) and obesity (low-capacity runners) to test the hypothesis that intermittent fasting will be more effective in obesity-prone rats. Body weight was measured daily and body composition was analyzed weakly. While all rats lost weight over eight weeks of intermittent fasting, obesity-prone rats lost significantly more fat mass than lean rats. Thus, intermittent fasting decreased loss of lean mass while enhancing loss of fat mass, and was found to be particularly successful in obese rats. |
Comments | |
Permalink | https://oaks.kent.edu/ugresearch/2017/biomedical/4 |
Intermittent fasting induces weight loss preferentially in obesity-prone rats
Mehta, D., Davis, A., Novak, C., & Fraizer, G. (2017). Intermittent fasting induces weight loss preferentially in obesity-prone rats (1–). https://oaks.kent.edu/node/5460
Mehta, Devanshi, Ashley Davis, Colleen Novak, and Gail Fraizer. 2017. “Intermittent Fasting Induces Weight Loss Preferentially in Obesity-Prone Rats”. https://oaks.kent.edu/node/5460.
Mehta, Devanshi, et al. Intermittent Fasting Induces Weight Loss Preferentially in Obesity-Prone Rats. 21 Mar. 2017, https://oaks.kent.edu/node/5460.
Poster