Effects of 16/8 intermittent fasting combined with caloric restriction on cholesterol, triglycerides, and BMI in university students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29059/cie.v2.2.25Abstract
Intermittent fasting has emerged as a promising strategy for weight reduction and improvement of the lipid profile. This descriptive cross-sectional study aims to analyze the effects of the 16/8 intermittent fasting protocol combined with caloric restriction on total cholesterol levels, triglycerides, and body mass index (BMI) in university students. Twenty participants (18-22 years old) without chronic diseases and with a BMI between 23.6 and 43.4 kg/m² were recruited. Participants were assigned to two groups: one experimental (intermittent fasting with 25% caloric restriction) and one control (only hypocaloric diet). The study lasted for 4 weeks, with measurements of cholesterol, triglycerides, and BMI taken at the beginning and end, in addition to the administration of questionnaires to assess side effects. Minimal differences in cholesterol and triglycerides were found between the groups, although the experimental group showed a significant reduction in BMI and a slight increase in triglycerides. These results suggest that while intermittent fasting has benefits for BMI, its impact on the lipid profile may be variable.
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Accepted 2026-01-19
Published 2026-06-16
