Changes in body composition during treatment of obesity by intermittent starvation

Four obese individuals treated by intermittent complete starvation have been studied by means of balance techniques and (in 3 cases) Whole Body Counting of 40K. Intermittent complete starvation caused a loss of potassium and nitrogen either in the same proportion as that of their concentrations in lean tissue or with an extra potassium depletion. Fat loss amounted to between 60 and 80 per cent of the decrease in total body weight. The potassium losses estimated by Whole Body Counting and balance study agreed reasonably well.