An Australian weight-loss trial that asks teenagers to fast for a year is at the centre of a row between healthcare professionals, with an eating disorders psychologist claiming it’s akin to starving children.

The NHMRC-funded study is currently recruiting for 13-18-year-olds who have moderate to severe obesity to take part in the trial, which will investigate the effects of an extreme calorie-restricted diet, including shakes and one small meal a day.