Studying Intermittent Fastings Impact on Mental Health in Women Aged 45 to 55 During Perimenopause

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to explore how intermittent fasting, specifically the 168 method, affects the mental health of women in the perimenopause stage. This phase, typically between ages 45 and 55, involves hormonal changes that can impact mood, sleep, cognition, and physical well-being. The study will include 98 women to compare mental health outcomes between those following intermittent fasting and those following standard dietary guidelines, helping to understand if intermittent fasting may improve mental health during this transition. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups the experimental group will follow a 168 intermittent fasting regimen, fasting for 16 hours daily and eating during an 8-hour window, supported by a fasting tracker and educational materials. The control group will follow Lebanese food-based dietary guidelines. The study spans six months with data collected at baseline and at 6, 12, and 24 weeks. Weekly calls will support adherence and monitor side effects such as fatigue or low blood sugar. Those experiencing severe distress will receive referrals and may be withdrawn. Women will have their mental health assessed using validated tools like the PHQ-9 for depression, GAD-7 for anxiety, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index for sleep quality, along with measures of body satisfaction, cognitive function, sexual health, and BMI. Data will be collected at several points throughout the study to track changes. Safety monitoring includes referral to free medical or mental health support as needed. Total participation lasts six months, with ongoing follow-up to evaluate the effect of intermittent fasting on mental wellbeing in perimenopausal women.

Impact of Intermittent Fasting on the Mental Health of Perimenopausal Women