Intermittent Fasting in Youth: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Intermittent fasting (IF) focuses on the timing of eating rather than diet quality or energy intake, with evidence supporting its effects on weight loss and cardiometabolic outcomes in adults. However, there is limited evidence for its efficacy in adolescents and emerging adults. To address this, a scoping review examined IF regimens in individuals aged 10 to 25, focusing on methodology, intervention parameters, outcomes, adherence, feasibility, and efficacy. The review included 39 studies with 731 participants aged 15 to 25. Methodologies varied, with 18 studies on time-restricted eating and others requiring caloric restriction. Primary outcomes included cardiometabolic risk factors (11/29), body composition (9/29), anthropometric measurements (8/29), and feasibility (2/29). Most studies reported significant weight loss. This review underscores IF's potential in treating obesity in this age group but highlights the need for rigorous studies with standardized frameworks for feasibility to ensure comparability and determine IF’s practicality in this age group.