Comparison 1. IF vs Ad libitum (Short term).

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1.1 Absolute change in body weight (kg)	7	224	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐2.88 [‐3.96, ‐1.80]
1.2 Absolute change in BMI (kg/m2).	4	115	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.92 [‐1.36, ‐0.48]
1.3 Absolute change in waist circumference (cm)	2	87	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐4.19 [‐6.38, ‐2.01]
1.4 Absolute change in total cholesterol levels (TC) (mmol/L)	4	125	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.31 [‐0.51, ‐0.12]
1.5 Absolute change in LDL (mmol/L	4	125	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.22 [‐0.40, ‐0.05]
1.6 Absolute change in HDL (mmol/L	4	125	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.10 [‐0.25, 0.05]
1.7 Absolute change in TG (mmol/L)	4	125	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.06 [‐0.25, 0.14]
1.8 Absolute change in SBP (mmHg)	5	201	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐4.47 [‐6.94, ‐2.01]
1.9 Absolute change in DBP (mmHg)	5	201	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐1.07 [‐3.33, 1.18]
1.10 Absolute change in CRP (mg/L)	2	43	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐1.19 [‐2.54, 0.16]
1.11 Absolute change in Glucose (mmol/L)	3	95	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.03 [‐0.26, 0.19]