INTERMITTENT FASTING (5:2) VS. NON-FASTING: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ANTHROPOMETRIC PARAMETERS, DEPRESSION, AND STRESS IN HEALTHY ADULTS - A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Intermittent fasting, particularly the 5:2 diet, has emerged as a popular dietary strategy for weight loss and metabolic health improvement.

Objective: to compare the anthropometric and nutritional profiles among individuals adhering to the 5:2 intermittent fasting diet (IF 5:2) and non-fasting individuals.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between December and June 2023. The study included 71 fasting and non-fasting patients who attended a private general medical practice. Among them, 35 were regular fast IF 5:2, consisted of two days per week fasting (Monday and Thursday) and five days per week of habitual intake, and 36 were non-fasting individuals. The two groups were matched for age and gender. Data were collected through a pre-established questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, and a dietary survey (24-hour recall and dietary habit). Depressive symptoms using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale and stress levels using the Perceived Stress Scale 4 were performed Results. Both groups had an average age of 55 years. None of the fasting group had a history of diabetes or dyslipidemia. There were no significant differences in weight and BMI between the two groups. The diet of fasters contained lower levels of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates, while non-fasting individuals had a diet richer in potassium, phosphor and sugars. According to the HAD (Hospital Anxiety and Depression) score, the fasting group had fewer depressive symptoms (p=0.04). However, the level of stress was found to be similar between the two groups (p=0.19).

Conclusion: This study suggested that there is a difference in the nutritional profiles of fasting and non-fasting subjects.