[Intermittent fasting : A solution for metabolic disorders?].

The management of obesity comprises lifestyle changes targeting nutrient content, eating behavior and regular physical activity. Medication (orlistat, liraglutide) and bariatric surgery can later be used, but they require a clear indication and a close follow-up. Studies in chronobiology are now exploring the metabolic benefits of intermittent fasting, which restricts food intake and calorie-containing beverages to a certain window of the 24h cycle, or to certain days of the week/month, thus reinstating the alternance between anabolism and catabolism. However, the current scientific evidence is limited by the sample size and duration of the studies. It is therefore too early for a blanket strategy based on intermittent fasting in all patients with metabolic disorders.