Background: While calorie restriction (CR) is a major weight loss method, alternate day fasting (ADF) has emerged as a promising alternative. Although ADF provides various health benefits, its impact on post-diet weight change remains widely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ADF on post-diet weight change and evaluate the potential factors associated with the weight change.
Methods: The following three types of dietary interventions were considered: Ad libitum (Ad lib), CR, and ADF followed by refeeding, and determining changes in weight, metabolic parameters, and gene expression levels in the adipose tissue.
Results: The ADF group gained the maximum weight during the refeeding period. However, food intake, oxygen consumption, and locomotor activity were not significantly different between the CR and ADF groups during the refeeding period. Moreover, epididymal fat weight increased in the ADF group after refeeding. In the adipose tissues, the expression of genes related to de novo lipogenesis and triglyceride synthesis was significantly elevated in the ADF group after the dieting period.
Conclusion: Our results suggest that ADF could not prevent weight regain after weight loss, and increased fat synthesis may contribute to weight gain and fat accumulation after ADF. Further exploration of the post-diet weight effects would help develop sustained successful weight loss strategies.