Can skipping meals help with weight loss?

Generally speaking, whether not eating can lead to weight loss depends on the specific circumstances of the dieting approach. Short-term fasting may help with weight loss, while long-term fasting might not be effective and could even be counterproductive. If any discomfort occurs, it is advisable to seek medical attention promptly. The detailed analysis is as follows:

In healthy adults, short-term fasting—such as intermittent fasting or light fasting lasting 1–2 days—may help reduce body weight and boost metabolic rate, thereby achieving weight loss goals.

Long-term fasting can lead to nutritional imbalances and deficiencies in essential nutrients, impairing normal physiological functions. Moreover, extreme calorie restriction lowers the basal metabolic rate, making the body more prone to weight regain after resuming normal eating, thus undermining long-term weight loss efforts.

It is important to maintain adequate hydration, choose low-calorie, high-fiber foods, eat small meals frequently, and avoid extreme dieting practices that may cause malnutrition and other health issues.