Unlocking the Potential of Intermittent Fasting: Exploring Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices

Background: Intermittent fasting has emerged as a healthy optional intervention for caloric-restricted diet with improvement in various metabolic disorders.Hence, it has been decided to analyze the knowledge, benefits, and focus on attitudes towards practicing intermittent fasting among health professionals.Methods: This prospective, observational questionnaire-based investigation was conducted among healthcare professionals at Panimalar Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Chennai after obtaining clearance from the Institutional Ethics Committee and informed consent.Convenience sampling of 227 participants was employed.A questionnaire including demographic data followed by questions about knowledge (3 questions), attitude (10 questions), and practice (9 questions) was employed.Results: Among 227 participants, 156 were female, and the majority were in the 31-45 year age group.Most of the participants answered correctly, knowledge-based questions.Few were uncertain about the factors that influence intermittent fasting (mean: 0.849).In the attitude-based questions, 80% of the participants answered questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, and 9 correctly, indicating that they are familiar with the ways of intermittent fasting.Conclusion: Though 82.8% of medical professionals are familiar with intermittent fasting, only 50% are practicing, and 30% have started but discontinued due to various negative concerns.If these concerns are being overlooked, the attitude towards practicing intermittent fasting can be achieved more effectively.