Human bodies are very efficient at storing excess calories, so it doesn’t matter that much how you spread the calorie intake over the course of a day. You wouldn’t see any weight benefits if you fast all day and then eat 3 full meals at 10pm, assuming you can keep them in. The trick is that you wouldn’t be able to eat 3 full meals. You would eat maybe two and voila you’ve reduced your calorie intake by 30% percent.
there isn’t also a calorie component, but calories are the component. each day skipped eating is a 100% calorie deficit. the hours dont matter, and the degree of calorie deficit within a day doesnt matter for fat loss; any deficit causes fat loss. it takes energy to move mass, period.
Yes calories matter. Intermittent fasting is simply an easier way to eat less calories in day therefore resulting in a caloric defect.
I am currently eating once a day. This allows me to eat pretty much whatever I want because it’s hard to eat enough in one meal not to be in a caloric defect.
If your in a 8 hour eating window you still have to watch what you eat to a certain extent.