Conley M, et al. – The possibility of 5:2 diet achieving ≥5% weight loss and greater improvements in weight and biochemical markers, when compared to a standard energy–restricted diet (SERD), was scrutinized in obese male war veterans. The findings deduced that 5:2 diet was a successful but not superior weight loss approach in male war veterans. The determination of long–term effectiveness of the 5:2 diet and its effectiveness in other population cohort warranted additional investigation.

Methods

• The enrollment comprised of 24 candidates.
• They were randomised to consume either the 5:2 diet or a SERD (2050 KJ (500 calorie) reduction per day) for 6 months.
• Estimation was performed of the weight, waist circumference (WC), fasting blood glucose, blood lipids, blood pressure and dietary intake at baseline, 3 and 6 months by a blinded investigator.

Results

• Enrollees in both groups considerably reduced body weight (P = <0.001), WC (P = <0.001) and systolic blood pressure (P = 0.001), after 6 months.
• Mean weight loss was 5.3 ± 3.0 kg (5.5 ± 3.2%) for the 5:2 group and 5.5 ± 4.3 kg (5.4 ± 4.2%) for the SERD group.
• Mean WC reduction for the 5:2 group was 8.0 ± 4.5 and 6.4 ± 5.8 cm for the SERD group.
• No notable variation was depicted in the amount of weight loss or WC reduction between diet groups.
• No marked change was reported in the diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose or blood lipids in either dietary group.