Intermittent energy restriction as a health promotion strategy to improve visceral adiposity and cardiometabolic health in obese older adults

Excess abdominal fat is associated with imbalanced dietary pattern and excessive calorie intake among obese older adults. Intra-abdominal visceral fat lines hypertrophied adipocytes and they are characterized by augmented lipolytic activities which are resistant to the antilipolytic action of insulin. Intermittent energy restriction (IER) is characterized by periods of marked energy restriction combined with normal energy intake. Energy restriction prevents type 2 diabetes mellitus and increases lifespan. IER leads to improvements in insulin sensitivity, reduces lipids, and improves blood pressure.