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Effects of Timed Restricted Eating on Body Composition, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Health
Sponsor: University of South Alabama
Summary
This study is looking at whether eating all meals within a 6-hour window each day (called Time-Restricted Eating, or TRE) can improve body composition, metabolism, heart health, and blood markers over 12 weeks. The study also wants to find out whether allowing participants to eat normally on weekends makes the diet easier to follow long-term. Adults aged 18-65 with a BMI of 26 or higher who do not have heart disease or diabetes may be eligible. Participants will be randomly placed into one of two groups: (1) TRE every day for 12 weeks, or (2) TRE on weekdays with normal eating on weekends. All participants will visit the lab twice - once at the start and once at the end - for measurements of body fat, resting calorie burn, heart function, and blood tests. Between visits, participants will log their meals and steps at home and check in with the research team every two weeks.
Official title: The Effect of Timed Restricted Eating With or Without Intermittent Energy Restriction on Measures of Body Composition, Resting Energy Expenditure, Cardiovascular Modulation, and Blood Biomarkers Over 12 Weeks
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 65 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
60
Start Date
2026-07
Completion Date
2027-07
Last Updated
2026-05-12
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
Time-Restricted Eating (TRE)
Participants consume all calorie-containing food and beverages within a 6-hour afternoon eating window (e.g., 2-8 pm) every day for 12 weeks. Outside of this window, only non-caloric beverages (water, black coffee, plain tea) are permitted. No changes to food quality or caloric targets are prescribed.
Time-Restricted Eating with Intermittent Energy Restriction (TRE+IER)
Participants follow the same 6-hour afternoon eating window Monday through Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, participants return to their habitual, unrestricted eating pattern (ad libitum intake). This modified approach introduces periodic weekend diet breaks to assess whether reduced dietary rigidity improves long-term adherence while maintaining a clinically meaningful weekly calorie deficit.