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Research Summary
Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™

Intermittent fasting may improve weight loss in night shift workers

Powered by the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework

Last updated July 15, 2026

Key finding

Those randomised to IF:2D had lower total cholesterol compared to CER (MD = -23.2 mg/dL [95% CI -34.8 to -11.6]).

This study investigated the effects of intermittent fasting strategies on weight loss and insulin resistance in night shift workers, finding no significant differences in body weight or insulin resistance compared to continuous energy restriction.

Quick read

Study at a glance

The essential study design details in one scan.

EvidenceScore™

Moderate

Study type

RCTs

Follow-up

Medium-Term (3–12 mo)

Risk of bias

Some Concerns

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Plain-language summary

What this paper says

A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.

Study focus

This study investigated the effects of intermittent fasting strategies on weight loss and insulin resistance in night shift workers, finding no significant differences in body weight or insulin resistance compared to continuous energy restriction.

Clinical relevance

Understanding the impact of dietary strategies on health outcomes in night shift workers is crucial, as this population often faces unique challenges related to metabolism and weight management. The findings suggest that while intermittent fasting may not provide additional benefits for weight loss or insulin resistance, it could still positively affect cholesterol levels, which is important for cardiovascular health.

Keep in mind

The study may have limited generalizability due to the specific population of night shift workers. The sample size and duration of the trial may not be sufficient to detect long-term effects. Potential confounding factors related to lifestyle and health status were not fully controlled.

Published in

Journal Reference

Publication details and source links for this paper.

Maxine PB, Gloria KL, Michelle R, et al. Weight loss and insulin resistance in night shift workers: a randomized trial of intermittent fasting strategies. eBioMedicine. 2025;117:105803. doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2025.105803

View DOIView on PubMedView on PMC

Main Effects

No significant difference in body weight between IF:2D and CER (MD = -0.2 kg) or IF:2N and CER (MD = -0.6 kg).

No significant difference in insulin resistance between IF:2D and CER (MD = -0.1) or IF:2N and CER (MD = -0.3).

IF:2D resulted in lower total cholesterol compared to CER (MD = -23.2 mg/dL).

IF:2D resulted in lower LDL cholesterol compared to CER (MD = -19.3 mg/dL).

Evidence network

How this study fits

Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.

Evidence Context

This study contributes evidence to Calorie restriction, Intermittent Fasting (IF) and Body weight, Insulin resistance, LDL cholesterol, and 1 more.

This study contributes evidence to

Intervention

Calorie restriction

Outcome

Body weight

Evidence topic

Dietary Patterns

Primary intervention

Calorie restriction

Primary outcomes

  • Body weight
  • Insulin resistance
  • LDL cholesterol

Evidence topics

Dietary PatternsInsulin ResistancePrediabetesWeight Loss

Primary intervention

Calorie restriction

Primary outcomes

Body weightInsulin resistanceLDL cholesterol

Evidence relationships

Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.

4
Evidence pairs
4
Relationships
4
Evidence topics
contributes_evidence

Editorial context

Why this study matters

See why this paper is useful beyond its individual results.

Evidence network role

This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.

Moderate contributionModerate confidenceNetwork score: 72

4

Related topics

4

Evidence pairs

942

Related studies

High relevance in at least one topic

Why it is useful

  • Contributes to 4 evidence relationships
  • Includes primary outcome data
  • Linked to 4 direct semantic evidence topics

Topic contributions

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

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Primary evidence

Evidence topic

Dietary Patterns

matched_intervention_and_outcome

Related evidence

Evidence topic

Insulin Resistance

Save evidence

Core evidence

Study findings

The primary outcomes reported in this study.

Body weight

Calorie restriction → Body weight

Calorie restriction → Body weight

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
82
Strong
ImpactScore™
70
Positive
ConsistencyScore™
60
generally_consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 5 studies
Add to Evidence Tracker

Insulin resistance

Calorie restriction → Insulin resistance

Calorie restriction → Insulin resistance

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

LDL cholesterol

Intermittent Fasting (IF) → LDL cholesterol

Intermittent Fasting (IF) → LDL cholesterol

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Total cholesterol

Intermittent Fasting (IF) → Total cholesterol

Intermittent Fasting (IF) → Total cholesterol

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Evidence Library

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evidence suggest

Evidence Suggest

  • Intermittent fasting did not significantly reduce body weight compared to continuous energy restriction.
  • Insulin resistance levels remained similar across all dietary interventions.
  • Participants on IF:2D had significantly lower total and LDL cholesterol levels.
who this applies

Who this applies to

  • Night shift workers seeking dietary strategies for weight management.
  • Individuals interested in the effects of intermittent fasting on metabolic health.
keep in mind

Keep in Mind

  • The findings may not apply to populations outside of night shift workers.
  • Results are based on short-term interventions; long-term effects remain unclear.
  • Individual responses to dietary interventions can vary significantly.
between the lines

Between the Lines

  • The study may have limited generalizability due to the specific population of night shift workers.
  • The sample size and duration of the trial may not be sufficient to detect long-term effects.
  • Potential confounding factors related to lifestyle and health status were not fully controlled.

Evidence Library

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Connected Evidence

Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.

Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.

Powered by the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework

This study contributes to evidence on Calorie restriction and Body Weight, Intermittent Fasting (IF) and Body Weight.

Related evidence relationships

Explore in Evidence Explorer

This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.

Questions answered by this study

Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.

Does Calorie restriction affect body weight?

Strong Evidence

Calorie restriction may improve Body weight.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Body weight

    EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 81.5 | moderate positive | ConsistencyScore™ Generally Consistent | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Jul 2026
View Full Evidence

Does Intermittent Fasting (IF) improve ldl cholesterol?

Emerging Evidence

Intermittent Fasting (IF) appears to improve LDL cholesterol.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    LDL cholesterol

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Consistency cannot yet be determined.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Jul 2026
View Full Evidence

Does Intermittent Fasting (IF) improve total cholesterol?

Emerging Evidence

Intermittent Fasting (IF) appears to improve Total cholesterol.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Total cholesterol

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Consistency cannot yet be determined.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Jul 2026
View Full Evidence

Does Calorie restriction improve insulin resistance?

Emerging Evidence

Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of Calorie restriction for Insulin resistance.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Insulin resistance

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Consistency cannot yet be determined.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Jul 2026
View Full Evidence
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Next steps

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Evidence topics

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Dietary Patterns Evidence HubInsulin Resistance Evidence HubPrediabetes Evidence HubWeight Loss Evidence Hub

Explore in Evidence Explorer

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All studies on Calorie restriction and Body weightAll studies on Calorie restriction and Insulin resistanceAll studies on Intermittent Fasting (IF) and LDL cholesterolAll studies on Intermittent Fasting (IF) and Total cholesterol

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