The Effects of Intermittent Fasting on Metabolic Health in Overweight Individuals: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Thesis Abstract

Abstract
This thesis investigates the effects of intermittent fasting on metabolic health in overweight individuals through a systematic review and meta-analysis. The prevalence of overweight and obesity has reached alarming levels globally, leading to significant health implications, especially related to metabolic health. Intermittent fasting has gained popularity as a dietary intervention that may offer potential benefits for weight management and metabolic health. This study aims to synthesize existing research to evaluate the impact of intermittent fasting on key metabolic parameters in overweight individuals. The introduction provides a comprehensive overview of the background, problem statement, objectives, limitations, scope, significance of the study, structure of the thesis, and definition of key terms. The literature review delves into ten critical studies exploring the relationship between intermittent fasting and metabolic health in overweight individuals. Through a detailed analysis of these studies, this chapter aims to establish a foundation for the research methodology. The research methodology chapter outlines the study design, inclusion criteria, search strategy, data extraction methods, quality assessment, and statistical analysis approaches employed in this systematic review and meta-analysis. It also discusses potential biases and limitations that may impact the validity and generalizability of the findings. Chapter four presents a comprehensive discussion of the findings derived from the systematic review and meta-analysis. This section evaluates the impact of intermittent fasting on various metabolic parameters such as weight loss, blood glucose levels, insulin sensitivity, lipid profiles, and inflammatory markers in overweight individuals. The synthesis of results aims to provide insights into the effectiveness of intermittent fasting as a dietary intervention for improving metabolic health in this population. Finally, the conclusion and summary chapter encapsulate the key findings of the study, highlighting the implications for practice, policy, and future research directions. The study contributes to the existing body of evidence on the effects of intermittent fasting on metabolic health in overweight individuals, offering valuable insights for healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers. In conclusion, this thesis sheds light on the potential benefits of intermittent fasting as a dietary strategy for improving metabolic health in overweight individuals. By synthesizing existing research through a systematic review and meta-analysis, this study provides valuable insights that can inform clinical practice and guide future research in the field of nutrition and dietetics.