The Efficacy of Intermittent Fasting for Weight Loss in Metropolitan Health and Wellness Institution Employees with Overweight or Obesity

Abstract

Overweight or obesity is a major risk factor for non-communicable chronic diseases that can be prevented by changing behavior by eating and exercising regularly. This quasi-experimental study aimed to investigate the effects of intermittent fasting for weight loss in metropolitan health and wellness institution employees with overweight. A purposive sampling of 45 people who were overweight and consented to participate was selected. The research instruments consisted of a personal data, weight, body mass index, and waist circumference, Nutrition and Food Consumption Knowledge Assessment and the 16/8intermittent fasting program, which applied self-efficacy and social support theories to behavior modification. The study was conducted of 8 weeks. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics: frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Pair t-test, and Repeated-Anova.

               The results found that the mean scores of nutritional knowledge and food consumption after the program were significantly higher than before (p < 0.001). When comparing the mean weight, body mass index and waist circumference 3 times at the beginning of the project, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks, it was found that they were significant (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the program can reduce weight, body mass index, and waist circumference in overweight people. The results of this research can be communicated as an alternative for weight loss in working-age people.