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Time Restricted Feeding (4-hour Versus 6-hour) for Weight Loss in Obese Adults

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Obesity
Diabetes
Interventions
Behavioral: Time restricted feeding
Registration Number
NCT03867773
Lead Sponsor
University of Illinois at Chicago
Brief Summary

The aims of this proposal are to compare the effects of 4-h versus 6-h time restricted feeding (TRF) on body weight and metabolic disease risk factors in adults with obesity. To test the study objectives, a 10-week randomized, controlled, parallel-arm trial, divided into 2 consecutive periods: (1) 2-week baseline period; and (2) 8-week TRF weight loss period, will be implemented. Obese subjects will be randomized to 1 of 3 groups: (1) 4-h TRF, (2) 6-h TRF, or a no-intervention control group. This study will be the first randomized controlled trial to compare 4-h versus 6-h TRF.

Detailed Description

Modest weight loss of 5-10% is sufficient to reduce metabolic disease risk in obese individuals. The first line of therapy prescribed for weight loss is daily calorie restriction (CR; 25% restriction every day). However, adherence to CR greatly diminishes after 4-6 weeks, due to subject frustration with constantly having to count calories and never being able to eat freely. In light of these issues with CR, another approach that limits timing of food intake, instead of number of calories consumed, has been developed. This strategy is termed time restricted feeding (TRF), and involves confining the period of food intake to 8 h/d (10 am to 6 pm) without calorie counting. Preliminary findings of 8-h TRF demonstrate modest weight loss and blood pressure reductions after 12 weeks. What remains unknown however, is whether shorter feeding windows during TRF (such as 4-h or 6-h feeding windows) can produce even greater weight loss in obese adults. Also of interest, is the impact of these shorter feeding windows on metabolic disease risk indicators (such as plasma lipids, blood pressure, and insulin resistance, inflammation and oxidative stress). Accordingly, the aims of this proposal are: AIM 1: To compare the effects of 4-h versus 6-h time restricted feeding (TRF) on body weight in adults with obesity; AIM 2: To compare the effects of 4-h versus 6-h TRF on metabolic disease risk factors in adults with obesity. To test the study objectives, a 10-week randomized, controlled, parallel-arm trial, divided into 2 consecutive periods: (1) 2-week baseline period; and (2) 8-week TRF weight loss period, will be implemented. Obese subjects will be randomized to 1 of 3 groups: (1) 4-h TRF, (2) 6-h TRF, or a no-intervention control group. This study will be the first randomized controlled trial to compare 4-h versus 6-h TRF on body weight and metabolic disease risk markers.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
82
Inclusion Criteria
  • Male or female;
  • body mass index (BMI) between 30.0 and 49.9 kg/m2;
  • age between 18 and 65 years; sedentary (light exercise less than 1 h per week) or moderately active (moderate exercise 1 to 2 h per week);
  • weight stable for >3 months prior to the beginning of the study (gain or loss <4 kg);
  • able to give written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria
  • Smoker; diabetic;
  • taking weight loss medications;
  • taking medication that requires eating food before (or with) the medication; history of eating disorders;
  • night-shift workers;
  • perimenopausal;
  • pregnant women

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
4-hour Time restricted feedingTime restricted feeding4-h TRF subjects will consume food ad libitum between 3pm and 7pm (4-h feeding window), and refrain from eating and drinking caloric beverages from 7pm to 3pm (20-h fasting window) each day. These subjects will not be instructed to limit/monitor energy intake during the feeding window. Subjects will be encouraged to drink plenty of water during the fasting period.
6-hour Time restricted feedingTime restricted feeding6-h TRF subjects will consume food ad libitum between 1pm and 7pm (6-h feeding window), and refrain from eating and drinking caloric beverages from 7pm to 1pm (18-h fasting window) each day. These subjects will not be instructed to limit/monitor energy intake during the feeding window. Subjects will be encouraged to drink plenty of water during the fasting period.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change from baseline to week 8 in body weightMeasured at week 1 and 8

Measured by an electronic scale

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change from baseline to week 8 in body compositionMeasured at week 1 and 8

Measured by DXA

Change from baseline to week 8 in Blood pressureMeasured at week 1 and 8

Measured by a blood pressure cuff

Change from baseline to week 8 in inflammatory markers (TNF-a, IL-6)Measured at week 1 and 8

Measured by ELISA

Change from baseline to week 8 in physical activity (steps/d)Measured at week 1 and 8

Measured by activity monitor

Change from baseline to week 8 in Fasting glucoseMeasured at week 1 and 8

Measured with a hexokinase reagent kit

Change from baseline to week 8 in Fasting insulinMeasured at week 1 and 8

Measured as total immunoreactive insulin

Change from baseline to week 8 in sleep qualityMeasured at week 1 and 8

Measured by a questionnaire

Change from baseline to week 8 in heart rateMeasured at week 1 and 8

Measured by a blood pressure cuff

Change from baseline to week 8 in insomnia severityMeasured at week 1 and 8

Measured by a questionnaire

Change from baseline to week 8 in plasma lipidsMeasured at week 1 and 8

Measured by outside lab (Medstart, IN)

Change from baseline to week 8 in calorie and macronutrient intakeMeasured at week 1 and 8

Measured by food record

Change from baseline to week 8 in sex steroid levels (estrogen, androgens, sex hormone binding globulin)Measured at week 1 and 8

Measured by a ELISA

Change from baseline to week 8 in Insulin resistanceMeasured at week 1 and 8

Measured as HOMA-IR

Change from baseline to week 8 in adverse eventsMeasured weekly from baseline to week 8

Measured by questionnaire

Change from baseline to week 8 in oxidative stress (8-isoprostane)Measured at week 1 and 8

Measured by ELISA

Change from baseline to week 8 in diet adherenceMeasured weekly from baseline to week 8

Measured by a questionnaire

Change from baseline to week 8 in risk of sleep apneaMeasured at week 1 and 8

Measured by a questionnaire

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Illinois Chicago

🇺🇸

Chicago, Illinois, United States

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