Popular topic at the moment, so for those interested (nice study, big sample size - only on women though) -

The effects of intermittent or continuous energy restriction on weight loss and metabolic disease risk markers: a randomised trial in young overweight women

Abstract
Background—The problems of adherence to energy restriction in humans are well known.
Objective—To compare the feasibility and effectiveness of IER with CER for weight loss,
insulin sensitivity and other metabolic disease risk markers.

Design—Randomised comparison of a 25% energy restriction as IER (~2266 kJ/day for 2 days/
week) or CER (~6276 kJ/day for 7 days/week) in 107 overweight or obese (mean [±SD] body
mass index 30.6 [±5.1] kg/m2) premenopausal women over 6 months. Weight, anthropometry,
biomarkers for breast cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and dementia risk; insulin resistance
(HOMA), oxidative stress markers, leptin, adiponectin, IGF-1 and IGF binding proteins 1 and 2,
androgens, prolactin, inflammatory markers (high sensitivity C-reactive protein and sialic acid),
lipids, blood pressure and brain derived neurotrophic factor were assessed at baseline and after 1,
3 and 6 months.

Results—
Last observation carried forward analysis showed IER and CER are equally effective
for weight loss, mean (95% confidence interval [CI]) weight change for IER was −6.4 (−7.9 to
−4.8) kg vs.−5.6 (−6.9 to −4.4) kg for CER (P value for difference between groups = 0.4). Both
groups experienced comparable reductions in leptin, free androgen index, high sensitivity Creactive protein, total and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure and increases in sex
hormone binding globulin, IGF binding proteins 1 and 2. Reductions in fasting insulin and insulin
resistance were modest in both groups, but greater with IER than CER; difference between groups
for fasting insulin −1.2 [−1.4 to −1.0] μU/ml, and insulin resistance −1.2 [−1.5 to −1.0] μU/
mmol/L (both P=0.04).

Conclusion—
IER is as effective as CER in regards to weight loss, insulin sensitivity and other
health biomarkers and may be offered as an alternative equivalent to CER for weight loss and
reducing disease risk.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/article ... 224118.pdf