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Competitive analysis of digital and non digital programs that lead to successful intermittent fasting. Includes different kinds of fasting, list of features, key influencers in the field, how users can successful adapt this habit, general population information (is it a trend mainly in female vs male, age range.. etc)
Hello! Thank you for your inquiry about a competitive analysis of digital and non-digital programs that lead to successful intermittent fasting. I searched through trusted media sites, user forums and review sites, government reports and databases, industry reports, and academic databases. The most useful sources I found to answer your question were various media cites, the Guardian, and the U.S. Census. The short answer is digital programs that support intermittent fasting are apps and other social media resources, while non-digital programs rely more on self-direction through books or medically-supervised retreats. Information about particular demographics participating in digital versus non-digital programs, as well as individual motivations, is not publicly available. Please see the attached spreadsheet and find a deep dive of my findings below.
OVERVIEW
As of July 2016, there was an estimated 323 million people living in the United States. Of that population, nearly "66% of Americans are currently on a diet." Millennials appear to be the leading advocates of dieting and living a healthy lifestyle in the US; 35% of Baby Boomers are currently obese. About half of all women in the US are currently dieting.
Types of intermittent dieting include: Lean gains; the alternate-day diet; and the warrior diet. The 5:2 diet is the most popular intermittent diet and consists of fasting for two days and eating normally for five days each week. Arguments in favor of intermittent fasting claim it "makes you thin... feeds the brain... and reboots the immune system." Advocates like author Michael Mosley and actor Hugh Jackman believe the 5:2 diet offers a smart alternative to a low-fat diet. One of the downsides to fasting diets is the effect they have on the body's blood sugar levels, forcing it go quickly back and forth from starvation mode.
DIGITAL PROGRAMS
Using apps to meet dieting goals is becoming an increasingly popular trend. Apple offers several digital apps to monitor intermittent dieting plans, such as the 5:2 diet, including FastingSecret; IF Diet; Fast Habit; 5:2 Diet Track My Fast; 5:2 Fasting Diet Recipes; Evolve; and Fasting Buddy for iPhone. Information about user demographics and success rates is unavailable. Facebook is another place dieter can turn for support during an intermittent fasting diet.
NON-DIGITAL PROGRAMS
Many books are available outlining the details of intermittent diets such as the 5:2 diet, including "The 5:2 Cookbook" by Angela Dowden; "The Ultimate 5:2 Diet Recipe Book" by Kate Harrison; and "The 5:2 Bikini Diet" by Jacqueline Whiteheart. Medically supervised fasting is another non-digital dieting program option and features both overnight and out-patient treatment with a medical staff.
CONCLUSION
Intermittent fasting has been show to boost energy and clear-thinking, as well as stimulate the immune system, but a downside can be negative affects on the blood sugar level. Digital options like apps for tracking fasting goals are becoming very popular thanks to Millennials' enthusiasm for dieting trends like the 5:2 diet. Non-digital options include books and medically supervised in- and out-patient programs. Information breaking down digital vs. non-digital programs by demographic and personal motivation is not publicly available. Please see the attached spreadsheet. Thank you for using Wonder! Let us know if we can help you answer anything else.