Impact of Chronotype-Based Time-Restricted Eating on Visceral Fat and Metabolic Health in Physically Inactive Adults With Central Obesity

Not Applicable

Not yet recruiting

• Conditions: Central Obesity; Time Restricted Eating

• Registration Number: NCT07062315
• Lead Sponsor: Chinese University of Hong Kong

Brief Summary

Time-restricted eating (TRE) has gained attention as a promising dietary strategy for enhancing body composition and metabolic health. This innovative eating pattern involves confining daily food intake to a specific window, typically spanning 6-10 hours. Given the lack of consensus on the optimal TRE strategy, this research explores whether tailoring eating windows to individual chronotypes enhances TRE outcomes. This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of chronotype-matched versus chronotype-unmatched TRE protocols, compared to a control group, over a 12-week period on visceral fat mass and other metabolic health outcomes in physically inactive adults with central obesity. Additionally, the study seeks to determine whether chronotype-matched TRE offers greater benefits in terms of visceral fat reduction and metabolic improvements compared to chronotype-unmatched TRE. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, and after the 12-week intervention.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2025-06-24
• Status Verified: 2025-07
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-07-02
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-07-13
• Study First Posted: 2025-07-14
• Last Update Posted: 2025-07-16
• Study Start: 2025-07-31
• Primary Completion: 2026-10
• Study Completion: 2026-12-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 90

Inclusion Criteria

1. Chinese adults, male or female, aged between 18-65 years old;
2. BMI of 23 kg/m² or higher, with a waist circumference exceeding 80 cm for females and 90 cm for males;
3. Weight stability for at least three months prior to the start of the study;
4. Physically inactive, indicated by not meeting established WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behavior (i.e., at least 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity or at least 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise; or an equivalent combination of moderate and vigorous-intensity activity throughout the week;
5. Baseline eating duration exceeding 12 hours per day;
6. Identified as either early or late chronotypes (Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire)

Exclusion Criteria

1. Individuals currently or chronically receiving pharmacological treatment for hypertension, diabetes, weight loss, or other metabolic conditions;
2. Night shift workers;
3. Individuals with eating disorders;
4. Female participants who are breast-feeding, pregnant, or attempting to become pregnant;
5. Individuals currently participating in other weight-management programs or following other prescribed diet programs.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Visceral fat mass	12 weeks	Visceral fat mass will be assessed using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Body composition (Fat mass, fat free mass)	12 weeks	Body composition including fat mass and fat-free mass (kg) will be measured by bioelectrical impedance analyzer (BIA) with minimum clothing.
Anthropometric measures	12 weeks	Waist and hip circumferences (cm) will be assessed by standard procedures using a tension tape accurate to 0.1 cm. The waist-hip ratio will be calculated accordingly.
Dietary patterns	12 weeks	Dietary pattern including eating window and dietary intake will be assessed using a seven-day food record
Subjective sleep quality	12 weeks	Subjective sleep quality will be assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
Objectively sleep quality	12 weeks	Objectively sleep quality will be assessed by accelerometer
Subcutaneous fat mass	12 weeks	Subcutaneous fat mass will be assessed using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Body mass index (BMI)	12 weeks	BMI (kg/m2) will be calculated using body weight (kg) and height (m)
Body weight	12 weeks	Body weight (kg) will be measured by a bioelectrical impedance analyzer (BIA) with minimum clothing.
Fasting glucose metabolism	12 weeks	Fasting blood samples will be used to analyze biomarkers of glucose metabolism, including fasting glucose (mmol/L), fasting insulin (mU/L), HbA1c (mmol/mol), as well as derived indices (HOMA-IR) calculated from fasting glucose and insulin levels.
Appetite	12 weeks	Appetite will be measured by visual analog scale (VAS).
Fasting lipid metabolism	12 weeks	Fasting blood samples will be used to analyze different biomarkers of lipid metabolism including triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (mmol/L)
Subjective quality of life	12 weeks	Quality of life will be assessed through questionnaires (WHOQOL-BREF)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong; 🇨🇳 Hong Kong, China