A randomised controlled trial of the 5:2 diet
<h4>Objective</h4> The 5:2 diet is a popular intermittent energy restriction method of weight management that awaits further evaluation. We compared the effects of one-off 5:2 instructions with the effects of one-off standard multicomponent weight-management advice; and also examined whe...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2021-01-01
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| Series: | PLoS ONE |
| Online Access: | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8598045/?tool=EBI |
| _version_ | 1818434928362127360 |
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| author | Peter Hajek Dunja Przulj Francesca Pesola Hayden McRobbie Sarrah Peerbux Anna Phillips-Waller Natalie Bisal Katie Myers Smith |
| author_facet | Peter Hajek Dunja Przulj Francesca Pesola Hayden McRobbie Sarrah Peerbux Anna Phillips-Waller Natalie Bisal Katie Myers Smith |
| author_sort | Peter Hajek |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <h4>Objective</h4> The 5:2 diet is a popular intermittent energy restriction method of weight management that awaits further evaluation. We compared the effects of one-off 5:2 instructions with the effects of one-off standard multicomponent weight-management advice; and also examined whether additional behavioural support enhances 5:2 adherence and efficacy compared to one-off instructions. <h4>Methods</h4> Three hundred adults with obesity were randomised to receive a Standard Brief Advice (SBA) covering diet and physical activity (N = 100); 5:2 self-help instructions (5:2SH) (N = 100); or 5:2SH plus six once-weekly group support sessions (N = 100). Participants were followed up for one year. <h4>Results</h4> Adherence to 5:2SH was initially high (74% at 6 weeks), but it declined over time (31% at 6 months and 22% at one year). 5:2SH and SBA achieved similar weight-loss at six months (-1.8kg (SD = 3.5) vs -1.7kg (SD = 4.4); b = 0.23, 95%CI:-0.79–1.27, p = 0.7) and at one year (-1.9kg (SD = 4.9) vs -1.8kg (SD = 5.7), b = 0.20, 95%CI:-1.21–1.60, p = 0.79), with 18% vs 15% participants losing ≥5% of their body weight with 5:2SH and SBA, respectively at one year (RR = 0.83, 95%CI:0.44–1.54, p = 0.55). Both interventions received positive ratings, but 5:2SH ratings were significantly higher. 5:2SH had no negative effect on fat and fiber intake and physical activity compared to SBA. Compared to 5:2SH, 5:2G generated a greater weight loss at 6 weeks (-2.3kg vs -1.5kg; b = 0.74, 95%CI:1.37–0.11, p = 0.02), but by one year, the difference was no longer significant (-2.6kg vs -1.9kg, p = 0.37; ≥5% body weight loss 28% vs 18%, p = 0.10). <h4>Conclusions</h4> Simple 5:2 advice and multicomponent weight management advice generated similar modest results. The 5:2 diet did not undermine other health behaviours, and it received more favourable ratings. Adding initial group support enhanced 5:2 adherence and effects, but the impact diminished over time. Health professionals who provide brief weight management advice may consider including the 5:2 advice as an option. <h4>Trial registration</h4> ISRCTN registry (ISRCTN79408248). |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T16:44:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6befa8fc6d83497caea5734a783357cf |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1932-6203 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T16:44:47Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS ONE |
| spelling | doaj.art-6befa8fc6d83497caea5734a783357cf2022-12-21T22:54:12ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032021-01-011611A randomised controlled trial of the 5:2 dietPeter HajekDunja PrzuljFrancesca PesolaHayden McRobbieSarrah PeerbuxAnna Phillips-WallerNatalie BisalKatie Myers Smith<h4>Objective</h4> The 5:2 diet is a popular intermittent energy restriction method of weight management that awaits further evaluation. We compared the effects of one-off 5:2 instructions with the effects of one-off standard multicomponent weight-management advice; and also examined whether additional behavioural support enhances 5:2 adherence and efficacy compared to one-off instructions. <h4>Methods</h4> Three hundred adults with obesity were randomised to receive a Standard Brief Advice (SBA) covering diet and physical activity (N = 100); 5:2 self-help instructions (5:2SH) (N = 100); or 5:2SH plus six once-weekly group support sessions (N = 100). Participants were followed up for one year. <h4>Results</h4> Adherence to 5:2SH was initially high (74% at 6 weeks), but it declined over time (31% at 6 months and 22% at one year). 5:2SH and SBA achieved similar weight-loss at six months (-1.8kg (SD = 3.5) vs -1.7kg (SD = 4.4); b = 0.23, 95%CI:-0.79–1.27, p = 0.7) and at one year (-1.9kg (SD = 4.9) vs -1.8kg (SD = 5.7), b = 0.20, 95%CI:-1.21–1.60, p = 0.79), with 18% vs 15% participants losing ≥5% of their body weight with 5:2SH and SBA, respectively at one year (RR = 0.83, 95%CI:0.44–1.54, p = 0.55). Both interventions received positive ratings, but 5:2SH ratings were significantly higher. 5:2SH had no negative effect on fat and fiber intake and physical activity compared to SBA. Compared to 5:2SH, 5:2G generated a greater weight loss at 6 weeks (-2.3kg vs -1.5kg; b = 0.74, 95%CI:1.37–0.11, p = 0.02), but by one year, the difference was no longer significant (-2.6kg vs -1.9kg, p = 0.37; ≥5% body weight loss 28% vs 18%, p = 0.10). <h4>Conclusions</h4> Simple 5:2 advice and multicomponent weight management advice generated similar modest results. The 5:2 diet did not undermine other health behaviours, and it received more favourable ratings. Adding initial group support enhanced 5:2 adherence and effects, but the impact diminished over time. Health professionals who provide brief weight management advice may consider including the 5:2 advice as an option. <h4>Trial registration</h4> ISRCTN registry (ISRCTN79408248).https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8598045/?tool=EBI |
| spellingShingle | Peter Hajek Dunja Przulj Francesca Pesola Hayden McRobbie Sarrah Peerbux Anna Phillips-Waller Natalie Bisal Katie Myers Smith A randomised controlled trial of the 5:2 diet PLoS ONE |
| title | A randomised controlled trial of the 5:2 diet |
| title_full | A randomised controlled trial of the 5:2 diet |
| title_fullStr | A randomised controlled trial of the 5:2 diet |
| title_full_unstemmed | A randomised controlled trial of the 5:2 diet |
| title_short | A randomised controlled trial of the 5:2 diet |
| title_sort | randomised controlled trial of the 5 2 diet |
| url | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8598045/?tool=EBI |
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