[kyasui]

Many people have found success using similar methods popularized by Martin Berkhan’s Leangains or Brad Pilon’s Eat Stop Eat. So anecdotally, efficacy isn't just limited to Rats (although I don't know the state of controlled studies in humans).

It’s interesting watching these intermittent fasting styles grow from niche body building communities to general population. It seems to be a great heuristic based way of keeping overall food intake under control.

[TelmoMenezes]

For what it's worth, I've tried several approaches to lose weight and the one that works for me is intermittent fasting.

I was never obese or anything, just a bit overweight.

I usually only eat dinner. Between about 20 and midnight I allow myself to eat whatever I want. This just fits my personality, I find it easier to skip meals knowing that later I'll be free to have whatever I want than constantly watching what I eat. I suspect most diets work, the trick is to find one that you can live with in the long run. This probably has to do more with personality than biochemistry.

[kyasui]

Agreed, the best diet is the one you can adhere to over the long term. Here is a great series comparing dieting approaches: http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/comparing-the-diet...