The Effectiveness of Intermittent Fasting, Caloric Restriction and Physical Activity On Metabolic Syndrome

NCT07181655 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 140

Last updated 2025-09-24

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a global health issue defined by a cluster of risk factors-abdominal obesity, elevated blood pressure, high fasting blood sugar, high triglycerides, and low HDL cholesterol-that together significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and overall mortality. Globally, about 20-25% of adults are affected, but prevalence varies by region and population; in Saudi Arabia, studies report rates ranging from 28.3% to 56.4%, with higher rates observed in northern and central regions and among men. Major contributors to MetS in Saudi Arabia include obesity, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and poor dietary habits, such as low fruit consumption. Effective management strategies focus on weight loss through caloric restriction, intermittent fasting, and increased physical activity, all of which have demonstrated improvements in metabolic markers like insulin sensitivity, blood pressure, and lipid profiles. Despite international evidence supporting these interventions, no randomized controlled trials have yet evaluated the combined effects of these approaches on MetS biomarkers in Saudi adults, underscoring the need for targeted research and public health initiatives to address the high and regionally variable burden of MetS in the country.

Conditions

  • Metabolic Syndrome

Interventions

OTHER

Modified Intermittent Fasting

Participants in Intervention group will follow a structured intermittent fasting protocol, specifically the 16:8 method, where they fast for 16 consecutive hours each day and restrict their eating to an 8-hour window. The fasting period can be personalized to suit individual schedules. During these fasting hours, participants must abstain from all foods and caloric drinks, but are encouraged to stay hydrated with non-caloric beverages and they will follow a structured, calorie-restricted diet, tailored to them, using a developed Food Frequency Questionnaire tool to select their daily calorie intake across sections to identify appropriate foods and beverages for patients with metabolic conditions. They will be prescribed to engage in at least 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity aerobic activities, such as brisk walking will be measured and evaluated using the mobile application of physical activity recommended by the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Universiti Putra Malaysia

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Hazizi Abu Saad, PhD · Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
80 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-04-01
Primary Completion
2025-12-01
Completion
2027-12-30

Countries

  • Malaysia

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07181655 on ClinicalTrials.gov