Effect of intermittent fasting 5:2 on body composition and nutritional intake among employees with obesity in Jakarta: a randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the effect of intermittent fasting 5:2 on body composition in employees with obesity in Jakarta. RESULTS: Fifty participants were included; 25 were allocated to the fasting group and 25 to the control group. There was no significant change in fat mass, fat-free mass, skeletal muscle, and BMI (p > 0.05). Significant in-group changes were observed in body weight (p = 0.023) and BMI (p = 0.018) in the fasting group. Dietary intake was similar before and during the intervention. The reduction in macronutrient intake resulted in a statistically significant difference in carbohydrate, protein, and fat intake in the two groups (p < 0.05). Intermittent fasting 5:2 results in weight loss but does not affect fat mass and fat-free mass reductions. None of the between-group differences were clinically relevant. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov with ID: NCT04319133 registered on 24 March 2020. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13104-022-06209-7.