ASPO Abstracts
Comparing an intermittent fasting intervention with a continuous energy restriction intervention on weight loss in community-based Black adults
Category: Cancer Health Disparities
Conference Year: 2023
Abstract Body:
Introduction: Compared to other racial/ethnic groups, Blacks have the highest rates of obesity, a well-established risk factor for some cancers. Continuous caloric energy restriction (CER) interventions consist of small reductions in daily caloric intake and are recommended by government agencies to treat obesity. However, these interventions are difficult to adhere to and cause less weight loss in Blacks compared to Whites. Intermittent fasting (IF), which can consist of eating 25% of one's daily calorie intake per day on some days and ad libitum intake on other days, causes the same amount of weight loss as CER interventions. IF may be easier for participants to adhere to and may lower cancer risk and prognosis to a greater extent than can be attributed to weight loss alone. However, most IF studies have been conducted with White participants, and have provided participants with standardized meals and/or nutrition counseling not readily available in real-world situations. Thus, the purpose of our study is to test the effect of IF interventions in diverse groups outside of controlled settings. Methods: We are comparing a 6-month CER intervention with a 6-month IF intervention on weight loss in Black adults using a blinded randomized controlled comparative effectiveness trial. Trained community health workers are delivering the interventions. Six churches (anticipated n=60) were randomized to either intervention. Staff blinded to treatment condition are collecting anthropometric, 3-day dietary food recall, and survey data at baseline and 6-month follow-up. Results: To date, four churches (n=29) have completed baseline and follow-up assessments. Most participants were female (82.6%) with a mean age of 57.9 years. There were significant within group differences, with both IF and CER participants losing 3.2% (4.4) and 2.8% (4.5), respectively, of their body weight from baseline to 6-month follow-up. Conclusion: This is the first study to test an IF intervention designed for community-based Black adults in a 'real-world' setting. If proven effective, this IF intervention has the potential to serve as an alternative to CER interventions for weight loss and cancer risk reduction in minority populations.
Keywords: Intermittent fasting, weight loss, Black, community-based