Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40163873›Full record

Trial reportAnnals of internal medicine2025

The Effect of 4:3 Intermittent Fasting on Weight Loss at 12 Months : A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Victoria A Catenacci, Danielle M Ostendorf, Zhaoxing Pan, Laura K Kaizer, Seth A Creasy, Adnin Zaman, Ann E Caldwell, Jared Dahle, Bryan Swanson, Matthew J Breit and 7 more

Registry-linked trialAbstract readRandomized Controlled TrialComparative Study
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Trial report in Annals of internal medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT03411356 (Comparison of Weight Loss Induced by Intermittent Fasting Versus Daily Caloric Restriction in Individuals With Obesity), which is not on this map. Cited by 12 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
12citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT03411356 nacompletednot on this map

Comparison of Weight Loss Induced by Intermittent Fasting Versus Daily Caloric Restriction in Individuals With Obesity: A 1-Year Randomized Trial

TypeinterventionalSponsorUniversity of Colorado, DenverRan2017 to 2023Enrolled165ConditionsObesityArmsDaily Caloric Restriction (DCR), Intermittent Fasting (IMF)
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

12 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
  3. Trial
  4. Trial
  5. Article
  6. International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: diets for body weight reduction.Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition · 2026
    Review
  7. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

17 authors.

Victoria A CatenacciAnschutz Health and Wellness Center, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, and Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (V.A.C., S.A.C., A.E.C., K.B., L.T.W., D.H.B.).
Danielle M OstendorfAnschutz Health and Wellness Center, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado; Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado; and Department of Kinesiology, Recreation and Sports Studies, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Knoxville, Tennessee (D.M.O.).ORCID 0000-0002-3923-5726
Zhaoxing PanDepartment of Biostatistics and Informatics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (Z.P., L.K.K.).
Laura K KaizerDepartment of Biostatistics and Informatics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (Z.P., L.K.K.).ORCID 0000-0002-6112-6411
Seth A CreasyAnschutz Health and Wellness Center, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, and Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (V.A.C., S.A.C., A.E.C., K.B., L.T.W., D.H.B.).ORCID 0000-0002-4176-0917
Adnin ZamanDivision of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, and Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York (A.Z.).ORCID 0000-0002-6884-7748
Ann E CaldwellAnschutz Health and Wellness Center, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, and Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (V.A.C., S.A.C., A.E.C., K.B., L.T.W., D.H.B.).ORCID 0000-0001-9537-5216
Jared DahleDepartment of Biology, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado (J.D.).
Bryan SwansonSchool of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (B.S.).
Matthew J BreitAnschutz Health and Wellness Center, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus; Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; and Graduate School, Integrated Physiology Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (M.J.B.).ORCID 0009-0003-9754-4417
Kristen BingAnschutz Health and Wellness Center, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, and Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (V.A.C., S.A.C., A.E.C., K.B., L.T.W., D.H.B.).
Liza T WaylandAnschutz Health and Wellness Center, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, and Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (V.A.C., S.A.C., A.E.C., K.B., L.T.W., D.H.B.).
Shelby L PanterDivision of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (S.L.P., P.M.).
Jared J ScorsoneAnschutz Health and Wellness Center, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (J.J.S.).ORCID 0000-0001-6733-0950
Daniel H BessesenAnschutz Health and Wellness Center, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, and Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (V.A.C., S.A.C., A.E.C., K.B., L.T.W., D.H.B.).
Paul MacLeanDivision of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (S.L.P., P.M.).
Edward L MelansonDivision of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, and Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (E.L.M.).ORCID 0000-0001-9151-9745

Funding

NIH Prior Approval Process ProfessionalUL1TR002535 · NCATS · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER · PI SOKOL, RONALD J. · 2018 to 2022
$51.1M
PILOT STUDY--SUBSTRATE METABOLISM IN EXTREMELY LOW BIRTH WEIGHT INFANTSP30DK048520 · NIDDK · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER · PI Edward L Melanson · 1995 to 2026
$32.6M
Comparison of Weight Loss Induced by Intermittent Fasting Versus Daily Caloric Restriction in Individuals with Obesity: A 1-Year Randomized TrialR01DK111622 · NIDDK · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER · PI CATENACCI, VICTORIA A · 2017 to 2021
$4.4M
Training the Next Generation of Innovative and Collaborative Patient-Oriented Researchers to Reduce Obesity and Improve Cardiometabolic HealthK24HL169755 · NHLBI · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER · PI VICTORIA A CATENACCI · 2023 to 2026
$504k
The Impact of Combined Hormonal Contraceptive Use on Weight Loss in Pre-Menopausal Women Enrolled in a Behavioral Weight Loss TrialF32DK123878 · NIDDK · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER · PI ZAMAN, ADNIN · 2020 to 2022
$233k
Enhancing Physical Activity Adoption and Maintenance in Adults with Obesity by Understanding Motivation for Exercise: A Mixed Methods Research DesignF32DK122652 · NIDDK · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER · PI OSTENDORF, DANIELLE M · 2019 to 2022
$154k
NCATS NIH HHS UL1 TR002535NHLBI NIH HHS K24 HL169755NIDDK NIH HHS F32 DK122652NIDDK NIH HHS F32 DK123878NIDDK NIH HHS P30 DK048520NIDDK NIH HHS R01 DK111622
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundLong-term (≥12 months) randomized trials evaluating the efficacy of intermittent fasting (IMF) as a dietary weight loss strategy are limited. Furthermore, no studies have compared IMF versus daily caloric restriction (DCR) when both interventions are provided in the context of a guidelines-based behavioral weight loss program.

objectiveTo compare the effects of 4:3 IMF versus DCR on changes in weight at 12 months, with comprehensive behavioral support provided to both groups.

designRandomized clinical trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03411356).

settingDenver, Colorado, and surrounding metropolitan area.

participantsAdults aged 18 to 60 years with body mass index (BMI) of 27 to 46 kg/m

interventionThe IMF group was instructed to restrict energy intake by 80% on 3 nonconsecutive days per week, with ad libitum intake (no restriction) the other 4 days (4:3 IMF). The DCR group was instructed to reduce daily energy intake by 34% to match the weekly energy deficit of 4:3 IMF. Both groups received a high-intensity comprehensive behavioral weight loss program that included group-based behavioral support and a recommendation to increase moderate-intensity physical activity to 300 minutes per week. MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was change in body weight (in kilograms) at 12 months.

resultsOf the 165 (4:3 IMF, LIMITATION: Limited generalizability.

conclusionCompared with DCR, 4:3 IMF resulted in modestly greater weight loss among adults with overweight or obesity enrolled in a 12-month, high-intensity, comprehensive behavioral weight loss program. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Indexed as

Caloric RestrictionFastingObesityWeight LossAdolescentAdultBody Mass IndexEnergy IntakeFemaleHumansIntermittent FastingMaleMiddle AgedWeight Reduction ProgramsYoung Adult

Identifiers

PMID40163873
PMCPMC12863240

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.