Time-Restricted Eating on Appetite and Inflammation in Adults With Obesity and Prediabetes: A Randomized Feeding...

Area of Science:

• Metabolic Health
• Nutritional Science
• Obesity Research

Background:

• Time-restricted eating (TRE) is increasingly recognized for its potential benefits in weight management and cardiometabolic health.
• The Time-Restricted Intake of Meals (TRIM) study previously evaluated a 10-hour TRE intervention against a 16-hour usual eating pattern (UEP) in adults with obesity and prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.
• This post hoc analysis specifically examines the impact of these eating patterns on eating behaviors, appetite regulation, and inflammatory markers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of 10-hour time-restricted eating (TRE) compared to a 16-hour usual eating pattern (UEP) on eating behavior.
• To assess the impact of TRE and UEP on key appetite hormones, including leptin, adiponectin, and ghrelin.
• To evaluate changes in inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), cortisol, and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sRAGE) in response to TRE and UEP.

Main Methods:

• Participants (n=39) with obesity and prediabetes/type 2 diabetes were randomized to either 10-hour TRE or 16-hour UEP for 12 weeks.
• Eating behavior was assessed using the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (measuring restraint, disinhibition, and hunger).
• Fasting blood samples and oral glucose tolerance tests were used to measure appetite hormones (leptin, adiponectin, ghrelin, cortisol) and inflammatory markers (CRP, sRAGE).

Main Results:

• Both the 10-hour TRE and 16-hour UEP groups experienced similar modest weight loss (approximately 2.5-2.7%).
• Significant improvements in eating behavior were observed in both groups, characterized by increased restraint and decreased disinhibition and hunger.
• No statistically significant differences were detected between the TRE and UEP groups regarding changes in eating behavior, appetite hormones, or inflammatory markers.

Conclusions:

• Both 10-hour TRE and 16-hour UEP interventions led to comparable improvements in eating behavior.
• These behavioral improvements occurred in the setting of similar, modest weight loss between the two eating patterns.
• Further large-scale prospective studies are warranted to determine if clinically significant differences exist between TRE and UEP for cardiometabolic health outcomes.