SUMMARY OBJECTIVE To verify the relationship of intermittent fasting in the bodyweight of overweight and obese individuals through a systematic literature review. METHODS This is a systematic review based on randomized controlled trials. The articles were consulted in the databases: Science Direct, PubMed e BVS. This review was evaluated through the PRISMA recommendation. RESULTS After the selection process, four articles were included in this review, comparing intermittent fasting (IF) with calorie restriction diet (CRD) as a control group. In 2 studies using similar protocols, there was no significant reduction in body weight of overweight or obese subjects. In the other two studies using different protocols, weight loss was significant in the IF group compared to the CRD group. CONCLUSIONS Results did not provide evidence of the effect of intermittent fasting on weight loss in overweight or obese individuals.