 A study has investigated how intermittent fasting compares with calorie

restriction to reduce weight. 

 The results suggest that intermittent fasting is no better than calorie
restriction for weight loss and is actually less effective in reducing body
fat content.
 The researchers say that including physical activity as part of an
intermittent fasting diet could optimize weight loss. 
Intermittent fasting is an umbrella term for diets that restrict food intake to certain
time windows. These diets can include fasting for several hours, or even days, at a
time. 

The dietary practice has become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to
lose weight and improve health. The reason for its popularity may be that people
consider it easier to maintain than some other diets. 

Findings from studies show that intermittent fasting could help reduce
weight, blood pressureTrusted Source, insulin sensitivity, and cholesterolTrusted
Source. 

However, so far, studiesTrusted Source investigating the dietary practice in

humans have found that although it is safe and effective, it is no more effective
than other diets that restrict calorie intake.

A major challenge for researchers is being able to distinguish between the

health and weight loss benefits specific to fasting and other diets. 

Scientists from the University of Bath in the United Kingdom recently headed an
international collaboration between research institutions in the U.K., Switzerland,
and Taiwan to conduct a study investigating the specific effects of intermittent
fasting. 

Echoing previous research, the team’s findings suggest that alternate-day fasting
and daily energy restriction are similarly effective for weight loss. 
However, while weight loss from daily energy restriction mostly came from
reducing body fat, for those who were fasting, just half of the total weight loss
came from body fat. The other half came from fat-free mass.