A 2026 study found that intermittent fasting combined with exercise helped obese adults lose more weight than standard care, but benefits fade after a year.
Study on eating patterns and health
A study published in Nature Communications in October 2026 by researchers at the University of Grenade found that restricting meals to an eight-hour window per day, especially combined with exercise, led to participants losing about 2.2 kilograms more than standard care for obese adults over 12 weeks.Participants and methods
The study, named TEMPUS, involved 187 obese adults, half of whom were women, divided into four groups followed for 12 weeks. All groups received the same Mediterranean diet advice and physical activity guidance.Different approaches tested
One group practiced intermittent fasting by concentrating meals within eight hours, another followed a structured exercise program combining weight training and intense endurance efforts, a third combined both approaches, and the fourth followed standard care.Focus on health improvements
The primary objective was not weight loss but to determine if these approaches reduced liver fat measured by MRI and improved heart and vascular health. The two groups practicing intermittent fasting lost an average of 2.2 kilograms more than the standard care group.Long-term effects noted
Combined with exercise, intermittent fasting led to more fat loss than exercise alone. However, the benefits of intermittent fasting disappear after one year, which is enough to temper enthusiasm.
