(P15-003-23) The Effect of Intermittent Fasting on Glycemic Control in Adults With Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes

Objectives: To determine how Intermittent Fasting (IF) in the form of time-restricted feeding (TRF) impacts biochemical markers of glycemic control and anthropometric measurements in adults who are overweight and obese with prediabetes (preDM) or Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM).

Methods: A literature search was conducted using PubMed and CINAHL databases utilizing search terms related to “diabetes mellitus, type II,” “prediabetes,” “fasting,” and “time-restricted feeding.” Articles were included if they were human clinical trials published in English over the last five years.

Results: Using the above search strategy, 259 articles were found; three met inclusion criteria. An additional three articles were located via hand search. Two studies included adults with preDM and four were limited to those with T2DM. All used variations of IF with an eating window between 6-10 hours for 2-12 weeks. IF resulted in weight loss in all studies with a significant decrease in four of six. Waist circumference decreased in three studies, with a significant decrease in two of three. Biochemical markers of glycemic control improved in five of six. Fasting glucose levels significantly improved in four of six. Hemoglobin A1c significantly improved in one of two. Of the four studies that measured insulin sensitivity or insulin resistance, only two found significant improvement. Overall, a more restrictive intervention and earlier time restricted feeding were associated with better outcomes. Only one study did not find any benefits of TRF, likely resulting from poor protocol adherence and a weaker study design.

Conclusions: Most studies demonstrated that IF improved biochemical markers of glycemic control and anthropometric measures in adults that were overweight or obese with preDM or T2DM. IF was generally regarded as safe and can be recommended to patients who desire to improve glycemic control, lose weight and decrease waist circumference. Future studies should address the safety of IF in patients who are on hypoglycemic agents, address the long-term feasibility of IF, and include a larger more diverse sample.

Funding Sources: There are no funding sources to report.