Time-Restricted Eating in Real-World Healthcare Settings: Utilisation and Short-Term Outcomes Evaluation

Area of Science:

• Metabolic health
• Dietary interventions
• Clinical practice

Background:

• Time-restricted eating (TRE) shows potential for managing weight and metabolic issues.
• Real-world application and outcomes of TRE in clinical settings are not well understood.
• This study investigates the utilization and short-term effects of TRE in a metabolic specialist clinic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the real-world utilization of TRE in a clinical setting.
• To evaluate the short-term outcomes of TRE in patients attending a metabolic clinic.
• To identify factors associated with TRE adoption.

Main Methods:

• Observational study with retrospective chart review of 271 adult patients (2019-2023).
• Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression identified factors for TRE adoption.
• Paired sample t-tests assessed changes in outcomes for patients receiving TRE advice.

Main Results:

• Nearly half (47.2%) of patients received TRE advice, primarily the 16:8 method.
• Working status and baseline metabolic profiles were linked to TRE adoption.
• TRE adherence resulted in significant reductions in weight (-1.2 kg), BMI (-0.4 kg/m²), and waist circumference (-3.7 cm).

Conclusions:

• TRE is a feasible and practical dietary strategy for enhancing metabolic health within healthcare environments.
• Further research is required to understand long-term adherence, adverse effects, and effectiveness in diverse populations.
• Improved data collection is necessary for comprehensive TRE research.