Many people have found success using similar methods popularized by Martin Berkhan’s Leangains or Brad Pilon’s Eat Stop Eat. So anecdotally, efficacy isn't just limited to Rats (although I don't know the state of controlled studies in humans).
It’s interesting watching these intermittent fasting styles grow from niche body building communities to general population. It seems to be a great heuristic based way of keeping overall food intake under control.
For what it's worth, I've tried several approaches to lose weight and the one that works for me is intermittent fasting.
I was never obese or anything, just a bit overweight.
I usually only eat dinner. Between about 20 and midnight I allow myself to eat whatever I want. This just fits my personality, I find it easier to skip meals knowing that later I'll be free to have whatever I want than constantly watching what I eat. I suspect most diets work, the trick is to find one that you can live with in the long run. This probably has to do more with personality than biochemistry.
It’s interesting watching these intermittent fasting styles grow from niche body building communities to general population. It seems to be a great heuristic based way of keeping overall food intake under control.