calorie shifting diet vs. calorie errstriction diet: a comparative clinical trial study

background: finding new tolerable methods in weight loss has largely been an issue of interest for specialists. present study compared a novel method of calorie shifting diet (csd) with classic calorie restriction (cr) on weight loss in overweight and obese subjects. methods: seventy‑four subjects (body mass index ≥25; 37) were randomized to 4 weeks control diet, 6 weeks csd or cr diets, and 4 weeks follow‑up period. csd consisted of three phases each lasts for 2 weeks, 11 days calorie restriction which included four meals every day, and 4 h fasting between meals follow with 3 days self‑selecting diet. cr subjects receive determined low calorie diet. anthropometric and metabolic measures were assessed at different time points in the study. results: four weeks after treatment, significant weight, and fat loss started (6.02 and 5.15 kg) and continued for 1 month of follow‑up (5.24 and 4.3 kg), which was correlated to the restricted energy intake (p < 0.05). during three csd phases, resting metabolic rate tended to remain unchanged. the decrease in plasma glucose, total cholesterol, and triacylglycerol were greater among subjects on the csd diet (p < 0.05). feeling of hunger decreased and satisfaction increased among those on the csd diet after 4 weeks (p < 0.05). conclusions: the csd diet was associated with a greater improvement in some anthropometric measures, adherence was better among csd subjects. longer and larger studies are required to determine the long‑term safety and efficacy of csd diet.