Indonesia
Introduction: Obesity is a major global health challenge closely associated with metabolic disorders, including dyslipidemia and impaired glucose regulation. Intermittent fasting and high fiber diet have independently demonstrated metabolic benefits. However, evidence regarding their combined effects remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of intermittent fasting, a high fiber diet, and their combination on blood glucose and cholesterol levels in obese mice (Mus musculus).
Methods: The study employed an experimental true design with a pre-post-test control group approach. A total of 20 male mice aged 2-4 months and weighing 30-40 g were used as experimental animals and divided into four parallel groups (n=5 per group; group I (control), group II (IF), group III (FD), group IV (FDIF)), in which measurements were conducted at pre-intervention and post-intervention. The intermittent fasting and high fiber diet interventions were administered from day 29 to day 42 of the study period. Blood cholesterol levels were analyzed using the Friedewald method, while blood glucose concentrations were measured with a blood glucose test meter.
Results: The results of analysis showed significant differences. The Δ value was calculated by subtracting the pre-test value from the post-test value. Δ body weight (p = 0.003), Δ cholesterol levels (p = 0.001), and Δ blood glucose levels (p = 0.003). These results indicate that there were significant changes in the Δ (pre-post) values among the groups.
Conclusion: Intermittent fasting, high-fiber diet, and the combination of both interventions significantly improved several metabolic parameters in obese mice. These improvements included reductions in body weight, cholesterol levels, and blood glucose levels. The combination of intermittent fasting and a high-fiber diet also provides additional insight into how meal timing and dietary composition may work together to support metabolic health.