For several years, intermittent fasting, also called “fasting”, has been on the rise. Problem: This method can cause eating disorders (ED) in adolescents and young adults.
- Intermittent fasting consists of not eating for 16 hours and spreading out meals over an 8-hour period.
- During the fast, it is possible to stay hydrated by drinking water.
Weight loss, more energy, better concentration, stress reduction… Intermittent fasting is known for its many health benefits. This way of eating has grown in popularity over the past few years. “However, intermittent fasting has also been shown to be linked to eating disorders, but little research has examined its potential adverse effects,” said researchers from the University of Toronto in Canada.
Intermittent fasting: “the prevalence is problematic”
In a study published in the journal Eating Behaviors, they decided to analyze the link between eating disorders (ED) and “fasting”. For this, the scientists studied the data of 2,762 Canadian adolescents and young adults. Participants had to complete a questionnaire about intermittent fasting, their behaviors and eating habits.
According to the team, 47% of women, 38% of men and 52% of transgender people said they had practiced intermittent fasting in the past 12 months. “The prevalence of intermittent fasting in our sample is problematic,” reported Kyle T. Ganson, lead author of the work, in a statement.
TCA: intermittent fasting is at the origin of compensatory behaviors
According to the results, “fasting” is responsible for eating disorders, specifically binge eating and compensatory behaviors, such as vomiting and compulsive exercise. “The associations found between intermittent fasting and disordered eating behaviors are particularly important, given the significant increase in APT in adolescents and young adults since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Jason M. Nagata, co-author of the study.
According to the authors, this research warns health professionals against recommending intermittent fasting for weight loss. “At this point, the claimed benefits are still unclear and unsupported by research, and the potential harms become clearer,” concluded the researchers.
