Rationale and protocol for a randomized controlled trial comparing daily calorie restriction versus intermittent fasting to improve glycaemia in individuals at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes

Intermittent fasting (IF) is proposed as a viable alternative to moderate calorie restriction (CR) for weight loss and metabolic health, but few long term randomized trials have been conducted. This protocol paper describes the rationale and detailed protocol for DIRECT study (Daily versus Intermittent Restriction of Energy: Controlled Trial to Reduce Diabetes Risk), comparing long term effectiveness of IF versus CR on metabolic health in...