Effect of Fasting and Calorie-Restricted Diets on Dopamine and Serotonin Levels Among Obese Women With BED and FA

Obesity presents a substantial economic burden in Jordan. Binge eating disorder (BED) and food addiction (FA) are the most common eating disorders associated with obesity. BED and FA most therapeutic approach is cognitive-behavioral therapy. Dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5HT) the major neurotransmitter responsible for FA and BED. Daily calorie restriction (CR) and intermittent calorie restriction (ICR) are two forms of diet therapy that can help weight loss. Prolong fasting increases lipolysis and elevates ketones bodies' levels in the brain led to a significant increase in the DA and 5HT. No prior human research has examined the effect of ICR (model 8:16) on DA and 5HT levels and weight reduction on obese with BED and FA. Therefore, A Randomized, controlled trial of 6 weeks follow-up will be used. A sample of 100 obese women will be selected to be randomly assigned to daily CR or ICR, or control group without FA or BED for a period of 6 weeks. Participants will be undergoing nutrition assessment, Anthropometrics assessment, food Addiction assessment (YFAS), binge eating assessment (BEDS-7), and hormonal level (DA\&5HT) at baseline and after 6 weeks. The investigators anticipated that CR and ICR (model8:16) will significantly induce DA\&5HT level changes and that ICR (model8:16) will be significantly more effective than CR in reducing BED \& FA.