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Lifestyle Intervention Feasibility for Arrhythmia and Symptoms With Intermittent Fasting (LIFE AS IF)

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Obesity
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
Morbid Obesity
Atrial Fibrillation
Interventions
Behavioral: Intermittent Fasting
Registration Number
NCT04090840
Lead Sponsor
University of Chicago
Brief Summary

BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE

Two out of three Americans are overweight and obesity is associated with hypertension, sleep apnea, atrial fibrillation. Metabolic syndrome with centripetal obesity is also a precursor to insulin resistance and the development of Type II diabetes mellitus. While multiple strategies for weight reduction are often recommended in physician visits, calculating calories and energy expenditure is often inconvenient and does not promote compliance. Intermittent fasting, or time-restricted eating, is a methods to limit caloric intake by fasting for 16 hours to promote ketosis and suppress insulin secretion. Weight loss and reduction in body fat has been observed with brief periods of intervention as time-restricted eating results in reduction in overall caloric intake. Prospective feasibility studies and randomized comparative trials with intermittent fasting are lacking.

The investigators recommend caloric restriction in all of our patients that suffer from arrhythmias and BMI \>30. However, they have not systematically measured compliance and the efficacy of lifestyle interventions. Lifestyle counseling and weight loss has been shown to decrease the progression and burden of symptomatic atrial fibrillation. Intermittent fasting can result in consistent reductions in body fat and weight without specific lifestyle counseling. The aim of the present observation cohort study is to assess the feasibility of recommending intermittent fasting in an arrhythmia clinic with regard to compliance and efficacy.

The investigators hypothesize that compliance and adherence to a 16/8 intermittent fasting regimen will be \>25% and result in weight loss, compared to the 6 month trend prior to the intervention. This pilot study will serve as the basis to power the first randomized trial comparing intermittent fasting with other types of dietary counseling for arrhythmia outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

To prospectively assess compliance to prescribed intermittent fasting, measured by adherence and change in weight at 6 months.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
51
Inclusion Criteria
  • Age ≥18
  • BMI≥ 30
  • Ongoing evaluation and management of cardiac arrhythmias
Exclusion Criteria
  • Pregnant or nursing
  • Eating disorder or history of eating disorders (self-report)
  • Diabetic mellitus type 1 or insulin requiring type 2 diabetes

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Intermittent FastingIntermittent FastingPatients will follow intermittent fasting for 16 hours with time restricted eating during an 8 hour window. The subjects are also advised to minimize sugar intake to \<15g per serving.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Weight loss6 months

Patients will be weighed weekly for the first month and than have weight checks in clinic monthly

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Body Mass IndexMonthly until 6 months

calculated from height and weight measured in clinic

Waist CircumferenceMonthly until 6 months

measured by research specialist at umbilicus

Blood PressureMonthly until 6 months

measured in clinic by nursing staff

Quality of Life Assessment6 months

SF36 Questionnaire to be filled out by patient

Hemoglobin a1c6 months

Blood test in patients with diabetes mellitus

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

The University of Chicago

🇺🇸

Chicago, Illinois, United States

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