Dietary restriction or exercise regimens can promote weight loss or physical fitness among patients with obesity. However, intervention-associated adverse effects may impede patients' motivation to participate in dietary/exercise interventions. We examined the effects of time restricted eating (TRE) with or without resistance training (RT) on body composition, mood profile, and sleep quality in young college adults with overweight or obesity.

Fifty-four young college students with overweight/obesity were randomized into control (CON), TRE, RT, and TRE plus RT (TRE+RT) trials. The TRE trials restricted to an eating window of 10-hour/day for 8-week. The RT trials performed supervised resistance exercise, while the control trial maintained a regular lifestyle. Changes in body composition variables, blood pressure, mood status, and sleep quality were measured before and after the intervention.

TRE intervention alone or in combination with RT significantly (p < 0.01) decreased body weight (>2 kg) and BMI (~1 kg/m2) in adults with overweight/obesity. Both RT alone and combined with TRE substantially decreased fat mass by 1.1 ± 0.5 and 3.2 ± 0.4 kg, respectively. The decreased fat mass was greater in the combination trial than in the RT trial, whereas TRE alone had no effect. In contrast, fat-free mass was significantly (p < 0.01) decreased with TRE (-2.3 ± 06 kg), increased with RT (1.6 ± 0.3 kg), and was stably maintained with combination interventions. The reduced waist and hip circumferences in the TRE (p < 0.01) were similar to those in the TRE+RT trials, however, RT alone had no effect. Time and group interaction showed a large effect size (partial eta squared) for all body composition variables. In addition, RT with or without TRE notably decreased diastolic blood pressure (RT: -5.5 ± 1.9 mmHg, TRE+RT: -4.1 ± 1.5 mmHg, p < 0.05). Mild anxiety levels at baseline in RT (4.8 ± 2.6) and TRE+RT (4.1 ± 3) trials were found to be normal at postintervention in TRE+RT (3.6 ± 1.7) but not in RT (5.6 ± 3.5). No depression or stress was recorded among the participants during the intervention. The reported poor sleep quality among participants at baseline was significantly improved with RT (4.8 ± 2.9; p < 0.05), and tended to improve with TRE+RT interventions (4.5 ± 1.9).

10-hour TRE is beneficial for weight/fat loss without affecting mood status. However, TRE combined with RT might be more effective for weight/fat loss, maintaining muscle mass, and good quality of sleep among young adults with overweight or obesity.

Time-restricted eating (TRE) has attracted increasing attention from researchers and the public. Recent studies suggest that the combination of TRE with energy restriction (ER) may have more favourable effects on both physical and biochemical aspects compared to ER alone. The aim of the present 3-month intervention study was to determine the effects of an 8-h early time-restricted eating and an 8-h late time-restricted eating with ER (eTRE + ER and lTRE + ER) compared to 12-h ER alone on body mass and other anthropometric and cardiometabolic risk factors in participants with overweight and obesity.

Participants (n = 108) were allocated to three different groups according to their personal chronotype: eTRE + ER (37 participants), lTRE + ER (37 participants) and ER (34 participants). Ninety-three participants completed the entire 3-month intervention (34 in eTRE + ER, 28 in lTRE + ER and 31 in ER). Anthropometric and cardiometabolic risk factors were measured at baseline and after 1, 2 and 3 months of the intervention. Sleep quality and quality of life were assessed at baseline and after 3 months of the intervention. ER was determined based on the individual's resting metabolic rate. Effects were analyzed using the per-protocol approach.

Results showed a significant time main effect (p < 0.001), suggesting a decrease in body mass at the end of the 3-month intervention with a mean loss of -5.0 kg (95 % CI, -5.7, -4.3) for the eTRE + ER group, -4.4 kg (95 % CI, -5.2, -3.6) for the lTRE + ER group and -4.3 kg (95 % CI, -5.0, -3.6) for the ER group, with no significant difference between the groups (p = 0.319). eTRE + ER had greater improvements in fat mass (-1.2 % (95 % CI, -2.1, -0.2), p = 0.013) and fasting glucose (-0.35 mmol/L (95 % CI, -0.63, -0.06), p = 0.012) than participants in the lTRE + ER group and greater improvements in fat mass (-1.1 % (95 % CI, -2.0, -0.1), p = 0.022), metabolic age (-3 years (95 % CI, -5, -0), p = 0.028) and diastolic blood pressure (-4 mmHg (95 % CI, -8, -0), p = 0.033) than the participants in the ER group. No significant changes were found between the groups for the other parameters measured.

There was no difference in body mass between the eTRE + ER, lTRE + ER and ER groups after 3 months of intervention. However, eTRE + ER showed a greater benefit for fasting blood glucose, certain anthropometric parameters and diastolic blood pressure compared to lTRE + ER and/or ER alone. Other anthropometric, biochemical and health-related parameters were not affected by eating window.

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05730231.

Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) is an intermittent fasting approach that holds promise in managing obesity and appears to influence hunger. We hypothesized that the effects of TRE would be due to a lower caloric intake imposed, as with any other type of dietary intervention. However, it remains unclear whether these effects are attributed to the chrononutrition protocol itself or the caloric restriction resulting from the intervention. Our primary aim was to examine the impact of TRE on hunger compared to isocaloric strategies in adults with overweight or obesity. We conducted a systematic review of randomized clinical trials, with inclusion criteria comprising adults aged 18 years and older with overweight/obesity. A literature search was conducted from the earliest available article up to January 2025, with no restrictions on time, region, or language. The search encompassed major electronic databases, including CENTRAL, MEDLINE, LILACS, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and OpenGrey. Of the 14 studies included, four met the eligibility criteria for the primary meta-analysis, which evaluated hunger in 323 participants. The findings revealed that TRE resulted in an increase in hunger (MD 2.05, 95% CI 1.46, 2.64; I² = 0%) compared to the isocaloric control group. In conclusion, the TRE protocol was associated with elevated hunger compared to isocaloric strategies, which may warrant further investigation into its long-term feasibility in weight loss programs.

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is characterized by an abnormal increase in heart rate upon standing, leading to symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, and rapid heart rate. Time-restricted eating (TRE), which limits caloric intake to an 8-10 hour daily window, has been shown to decrease inflammation and improve immune, autonomic, and mitochondrial function, as well as cardiometabolic parameters. This single arm pilot study evaluated the effects of TRE on quality of life (QOL), heart rate, and mitochondrial function in 20 participants with POTS (≥30 bpm increase in upright heart rate) and a baseline dietary window of ≥12 hours. Following a 2-week baseline monitoring period, participants underwent a 12-week TRE intervention. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included QOL questionnaires, a 10-minute stand test, and plasma mitochondrial analysis. TRE significantly reduced heart rate increase upon standing (mean decrease: 11 bpm, p < 0.001), improved QOL metrics including POTS symptom severity (p < 0.0001), physical functioning (p = 0.02), and energy/fatigue (p < 0.01), and increased mitochondrial-derived ATP. These findings suggest TRE as a promising lifestyle intervention to improve QOL, heart rate, and mitochondrial function in POTS patients.

Time-restricted eating (TRE), which consists of restricting the eating window to typically 4 to 8 hours (while fasting for the remaining hours of the day), has been proposed as a nonpharmacological strategy with cardiometabolic benefits but little is known about its metabolic effect on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

We evaluated whether TRE can improve pancreatic β-cell function and metabolic status in overweight individuals with early T2DM.

In a randomized, crossover trial, 39 participants (mean 2.9 years of diabetes duration, baseline glycated hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] 6.6% ± 0.7% and body mass index [BMI] 32.4 ± 5.7) were randomly assigned to either an initial intervention consisting of 6 weeks of TRE (20 h-fasting/4 h-eating) or standard lifestyle. The primary outcome of β-cell function was assessed by the Insulin Secretion-Sensitivity Index-2 (ISSI-2) derived from an oral glucose tolerance test.

As compared to standard lifestyle, TRE induced a 14% increase in ISSI-2 (+14.0 ± 39.2%; P = .03) accompanied by a 14% reduction of hepatic insulin resistance as evaluated by HOMA-IR (-11.6% [-49.3 to 21.9]; P = .03). Fasting glucose did not differ between interventions, but TRE yielded a statistically significant reduction in HbA1c (-0.32 ± 0.48%; P < .001). These metabolic improvements were coupled with a reduction of body weight of 3.86% (-3.86 ± 3.1%; P < .001) and waist circumference of 3.8 cm (-3.8 ± 7.5 cm; P = .003).

TRE improved β-cell function and insulin resistance in overweight patients with early diabetes, accompanied by beneficial effects on adiposity.

Time-restricted eating (TRE) shows promise for weight loss and improving menopause-related body composition and cardiometabolic health, but its effects on skeletal muscle tissue (SMT) in postmenopausal women are unknown. This study investigates the effects of three weight loss interventions over 12 weeks on SMT quantity, quality, function, and cardiometabolic health in postmenopausal women with overweight/obesity, with effects persistence evaluated at a 12-month follow-up.

In this randomized controlled trial, 78 postmenopausal women (50-65 years; BMI 25-40 kg/m2; sedentary lifestyle; eating window ≥12 h/day; no severe metabolic impairments) will be recruited. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups for 12 weeks: TRE, TRE + resistance training, or CR + resistance training. The TRE groups will reduce their eating window to 8 h and receive nutritional advice to adhere to a Mediterranean diet. The CR group will follow a personalized hypocaloric diet (-500 kcal/day). Resistance training groups will perform supervised resistance training 3 times/week.

Change in SMT quantity measured by MRI at baseline and after 12 weeks.

intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT), strength, power, body weight and composition, and cardiometabolic risk factors.

This study will illustrate the effects of TRE and TRE combined with resistance exercise compared with the currently recommended obesity-lifestyle treatment on SMT quantity, quality, function, and cardiometabolic markers. The results will offer insights into dietary strategies to combat obesity and metabolic diseases without increasing sarcopenia risk in postmenopausal women, a sparsely studied and particularly affected population.

Background/Objectives: Intermittent fasting has gained attention in managing weight, yet its long-term effects remain unclear. We examined the impact of overnight, before-sleep, and after-sleep fasting on body weight over two years using data from the Cancer Prevention Study-3 Diet Assessment Substudy. Methods: We emulated three target trials in 457 adults without diabetes or cancer. Participants were assigned to fasting strategies of <12 vs. ≥12 h overnight, <4 vs. ≥4 h before sleep, and <1 vs. ≥1 h after sleep at baseline (2016). Mean body weight 2 years post baseline was estimated using marginal structural models with stabilized inverse probability weights, adjusting for pre-baseline covariates. Results: After two years (median [IQR]: 2.0 [1.8-2.0] years), the estimated mean body weight was 79.4 kg (≥12 h overnight) vs. 78.9 kg (<12 h overnight) (mean difference: 0.4 kg; 95% CI: -4.1 to 4.7); 79.4 kg (≥4 h before sleep) vs. 77.5 kg (<4 h before sleep) (mean difference: 1.9 kg; 95% CI: -0.4 to 4.1); and 79.8 kg (≥1 h after sleep) vs. 78.9 kg (<1 h after sleep) (mean difference: 0.9 kg; 95% CI: -4.3 to 4.4). Among men, overnight fasting ≥ 12 h showed a higher weight (100.9 kg vs. 83.9 kg, mean difference: 17.0 kg; 95% CI: 10.8, 23.1), whereas, among women, it was estimated weight was lower (74.3 kg vs. 77.1 kg, mean difference: -2.8 kg; 95% CI: -6.8, 1.2). Conclusions: Overall, overnight fasting alone may not substantially influence body weight, but sex-specific differences suggest a need for further investigation.

Although it is well established that caloric restriction (CR) is the primary driver of weight loss, circadian-driven metabolic benefits have been recognized as possibly enhancing the effects of CR. Time-restricted eating (TRE) has emerged as a promising approach in this context.

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the effects of TRE with isocaloric diet controls (analysis 1) and non-isocaloric controls (analysis 2) on anthropometric and body-composition parameters in adults with overweight or obesity.

A search was carried out in the Medline, LILACS, Embase, and CENTRAL databases using Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) and similar terms such as "Obesity," "Obesity, Abdominal," "Time-restricted eating," "Body weight," "Changes in body weight," and others.

We included 30 studies involving a total of 1341 participants. Studies were screened based on titles and abstracts followed by full-text reading, and data were extracted from eligible studies using a pre-established form. All these steps were performed by 2 authors independently and blinded, with discrepancies resolved by a third author.

The results of main findings revealed that, in studies using non-isocaloric controls, the TRE group showed significant reductions in body weight (BW) (mean difference [MD]: -2.82 kg; 95% CI: -3.49, -2.15), fat mass (FM) (MD: -1.36 kg; 95% CI: -2.09, -0.63), and fat-free mass (FFM) (MD: -0.86 kg; 95% CI: -1.23, -0.49). In studies that used isocaloric control strategies, the TRE group showed significant reductions in BW (MD: -1.46 kg; 95% CI: -2.65, -0.26), FM (MD: -1.50 kg; 95% CI: -2.77, -0.24), and FFM (MD: -0.41 kg; 95% CI: -0.79, -0. 03).

TRE yields favorable anthropometric and clinical outcomes, even when intake is isocaloric between the intervention and control groups. This result suggests that circadian effects may enhance the impact of CR on excess weight.

PROSPERO registration no. CRD42022301594.

When it comes to nutritional status and physical performance, body composition is significant. Previous research has shown the correlation between body composition and the mismatch between nutrient intake and requirements. However, this paper aims to evaluate the crucial role of lifestyle factors, such as eating behavior and meal timing, in influencing body composition. Lifestyle variables are important because they affect hormone and growth factor imbalances, which can cause changes in protein synthesis or breakdown, insulin resistance, and overeating. These factors collectively affect muscle mass and fat mass, their influence being consistent across juvenile and adult groups, between men and women. Regarding food preferences, sexual dimorphism of adiposity between men and women seems to be a critical determinant. Additionally, chronic stress leads to emotional eating, while enough sleep plays a big role in affecting growth factors and hormone balances, although the research on this subject is as yet scant. Therefore, understanding and modifying lifestyle habits are essential for the improvement of body composition, irrespective of an individual's gender or age.

PurposeTo analyze the effect of shift work on the total calorie intake, macronutrients and mealtimes of military policemen during working days and off-duty days.DesignQuantitative cross-sectional.SettingMilitary policemen who worked shifts in a city in the Northern region of Brazil.Population34 military policemen aged between 18 and 50.MeasurementsCalorie intake, macronutrients, mealtimes, dietary midpoint and dietary window for working days and off-duty days were analyzed. Generalized Estimation Equations (GEE) with Bonferroni post-test, adjusted for age and BMI test was used to check the differences between the variables.ResultsThe median intake of calories (2781 kcal vs 2350 vs 2295 kcal; P < 0.001), proteins (200 g vs 122.65 g vs 104.24 g; P = 0.006) and lipids (158.41 g vs 86.94 g vs 91.03 g; P = 0.014) was higher when policemen worked day compared night shifts and to off-duty days. Meals started early during the day and the eating window was longer during the day shift, followed by off-duty days and the night shift.ConclusionThese findings reinforce the effect of shift work on eating habits and highlight the need for nutritional strategies adapted to the occupational context of military policemen.

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a public health concern, linked with immune-metabolic dysfunction. While lifestyle and dietary modifications remain the cornerstone of MASLD management, the optimal dietary approach remains uncertain. Objectives: This systematic review aims to investigate the impact of model dietary patterns on metabolic outcomes in patients with MASLD and evaluate their effects in individuals with coexisting metabolic conditions, such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: To conduct the review, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Cochrane CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were searched for Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) on the adult population, published between January 2019 and September 2024, following PRISMA principles. The quality of the included RCTs was assessed qualitatively based on study characteristics. Results: The main findings of this review demonstrated that the use of interventions with dietary model based on Mediterranean diet (MED) and intermittent fasting (IF) approaches, such as alternative-day fasting (ADF) and time-restricted feeding regimens (TRF) may have potential in reducing body weight, BMI, and waist circumference, with additional benefits of improving glycemic control and reducing inflammation. The effects on hepatic functions, although limited, may be linked with reduced enzyme activity and liver stiffness. Additionally, the use of lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet (LOV-D) and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet may offer additional health benefits, including blood pressure management. Conclusions: This review suggests that MED and IF-based strategies may reduce BW, improve glycemic control, and lower inflammation, with potential benefits for hepatic function. Further long-term studies are needed to confirm these effects and underlying mechanisms, which will allow for the optimization of protocols and ensure their safety in MASLD.

Metabolic improvements may precede weight loss. We compared the effects of self-selected 8-h time-restricted eating (TRE), 15% caloric restriction (CR), and unrestricted eating (UE) on weight, body composition, caloric intake, glycemic measures, and metabolic flexibility.

In this 12-week randomized-controlled trial, we measured weight (primary outcome), body composition (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry/magnetic resonance imaging), caloric intake (24-h recall), metabolic flexibility (indirect calorimetry during hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp), and glycemic measures (hemoglobin A1c, hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, continuous glucose monitoring).

Of the 88 enrolled participants, 81 (92%) completed the trial (mean [SD], age, 43.2 [10.5] years, BMI, 36.2 [5.1] kg/m2; 54.5% female, 84.1% White). Final eating windows were 9.8 h (95% CI: 9.0 to 10.6) for TRE, 12.9 h (95% CI: 11.9 to 13.9) for CR, and 11.8 h (95% CI: 11.0 to 12.7) for UE. Compared with UE (n = 29), weight changes were -1.4 kg (95% CI: -4.5 to 1.7; p = 0.53) with TRE (n = 30) and -2.5 kg (95% CI: -5.8 to 0.8; p = 0.18) with CR (n = 29). TRE showed lower metabolic flexibility than CR (-0.041 [95% CI: -0.080 to -0.002]). Weight, body composition, caloric intake, and glycemic measures were similar among groups. Eating window reduction correlated with decreased caloric intake and visceral fat.

In a 12-week intervention, TRE did not lead to significant improvements in weight, average body composition, or glycemic or metabolic measures compared with CR or UE.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most commonly inherited progressive kidney disease. Time-restricted eating (TRE) is a fasting regimen that restricts eating to a particular window (typically 8 hours/day), which could slow cyst growth based on preclinical models.

A 12-month, randomized, controlled, behavioral dietary intervention compared TRE with a control group given healthy eating advice without TRE (HE), without caloric restriction. Participants underwent baseline and 12-month measurements, including adherence (percentage of participants adhering to the 8-hour window; primary outcome), and MRI to determine height-adjusted total kidney volume (htTKV) and adiposity.

Twenty-nine participants (23 females, mean standard ± deviation 48 ± 9 years) with a body mass index of 31.1±5 kg/m2 were randomized to TRE (n = 14) or HE (n = 15). Of the total participants, 71% (n = 10) of TRE and 87% (n = 13) of HE participants completed the intervention. The eating window was 9.6 ± 3.6 hours for TRE (60% achieving the 8-hour window) and 12.0 ± 2.0 for HE groups (P = .07). At month 12, both groups lost modest weight (-2.4 ± 6.4% and -3.6 ± 5.4% in the TRE and HE groups, respectively). Annual change in htTKV was 3.0 ± 8.5% and 4.6 ± 8.8% in the TRE and HE groups, respectively. Both change in weight (r = 0.67, P < .01) and change in visceral adiposity (r = 0.54, P < .01) were positively correlated with change in htTKV.

Both the TRE and HE group lost modest weight at 12 months. The targeted TRE adherence of ≥75% of participants was not achieved. Weight and adiposity loss may be more important drivers of kidney growth than the timing of eating.

This study explores the use of advanced Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques to enhance food classification and dietary analysis using raw text input from a diet tracking app.

The study was conducted in three stages: data collection, framework development, and application. Data were collected via the myCircadianClock app, where participants logged their meals in free-text format. Only de-identified food-related entries were used. We developed the NutriRAG framework, an NLP framework utilizing a Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) approach to retrieve examples and incorporating large language models such as GPT-4 and Llama-2-70b. NutriRAG was designed to identify and classify user-recorded food items into predefined categories and analyzed dietary patterns from free-text entries in a 12-week randomized clinical trial (RCT: NCT04259632). The RCT compared three groups of obese participants: those following time-restricted eating (TRE, 8-hour eating window), caloric restriction (CR, 15% reduction), and unrestricted eating (UR).

NutriRAG significantly enhanced classification accuracy and effectively identified nutritional content and analyzed dietary patterns, as noted by the retrieval-augmented GPT-4 model achieving a Micro F1 score of 82.24. Both interventions showed dietary alterations: CR participants ate fewer snacks and sugary foods, while TRE participants reduced nighttime eating.

By using AI, NutriRAG marks a substantial advancement in food classification and dietary analysis of nutritional assessments. The findings highlight NLP's potential to personalize nutrition and manage diet-related health issues, suggesting further research to expand these models for wider use.

The relationship between diet and sleep quality is intricate, with growing evidence suggesting that dietary patterns and meal timing (chrononutrition) can significantly influence sleep outcomes. This scoping review aims to compare the impact of Mediterranean diet and chrononutrition methods on sleep variables, including sleep quality, duration, and efficiency. While the Mediterranean diet is renowned for its health benefits in chronic diseases, chrononutrition focuses on how the timing of food intake affects health and circadian biology.

Literature search following PRISMA guidelines using PubMed and Google Scholar focused on Mediterranean diet and chrononutrition effects on sleep quality. Studies assessed sleep quality using subjective methods like Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, analyzing data on study type, sample size, age group, diet, duration, sleep parameters, and outcomes.

Thirty three studies met inclusion criteria, 24 focusing on Mediterranean diet and 9 on chrononutrition. Among the 24 Mediterranean diet studies, most of which were observational studies, 17 reported a positive association between adherence to Mediterranean diet and improved self-reported sleep quality, while the remaining studies found no significant association. In contrast, evidence supporting the positive effects of chrononutrition on sleep quality was limited, with only two out of nine studies having found improvement in sleep quality.

Mediterranean diet demonstrates a more consistent and positive influence on sleep quality compared to chrononutrition. However, a limitation of review is that the reviewed Mediterranean diet studies were mainly cross-sectional or observational, while the reviewed chrononutrition studies were mainly interventional trials. Larger interventional clinical trials are needed to determine optimal dietary strategies and meal timing for promoting healthy sleep.

This review summarizes recent evidence for a role of the clock in adipose tissue physiology and the impact of circadian desynchrony on the development of obesity.

Circadian disruptions due to shift work, late time eating and nighttime light exposure are associated with obesity and its metabolic and cardiovascular consequences. Studies in mice harboring tissue-specific gain/loss of function mutations in clock genes revealed that the circadian clock acts on multiple pathways to control adipogenesis, lipogenesis/lipolysis and thermogenesis. Time-restricted eating (TRE), aligning feeding with the active period to restore clock function, represents a promising strategy to curb obesity. While TRE has shown clear benefits, especially in participants at higher cardiometabolic risk, current studies are limited in size and duration. Larger, well-controlled studies are warranted to conclusively assess the effects of TRE in relation to the metabolic status and gender. Field studies in shift-workers, comparing permanent night shift versus rotating shifts, are also necessary to identify the optimal time window for TRE.

Dietary restriction and fasting have been recognized for their beneficial effects on health and lifespan and their potential application in managing chronic metabolic diseases. However, long-term adherence to strict dietary restrictions and prolonged fasting poses challenges for most individuals and may lead to unhealthy rebound eating habits, negatively affecting overall health. As a result, a periodic fasting-mimicking diet (PFMD), involving cycles of fasting for 2 or more days while ensuring basic nutritional needs are met within a restricted caloric intake, has gained widespread acceptance. Current research indicates that a PFMD can promote stem cell regeneration, suppress inflammation, extend the health span of rodents, and improve metabolic health, among other effects. In various disease populations such as patients with diabetes, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease, a PFMD has shown efficacy in alleviating disease symptoms and improving relevant markers. After conducting an extensive analysis of available research on the PFMD, it is evident that its advantages and potential applications are comparable to other fasting methods. Consequently, it is proposed in this review that a PFMD has the potential to fully replace water-only or very-low-energy fasting regimens and holds promise for application across multiple diseases.

Time-restricted eating (TRE) is a promising and cost-effective dietary approach for weight management. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of TRE on weight loss in three adult populations using pre- and post-intervention analyses while also investigating its underlying mechanism. A systematic search was conducted across four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and the CENTRAL) up until January 28, 2024, specifically focusing on prospective studies that examined the efficacy of TRE in achieving weight loss. A random effects model was employed to conduct meta-analyses, while heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic (PROSPERO: CRD42023439317). The study encompassed 36 selected studies involving 44 effect sizes and 914 participants. The effectiveness of the TRE was found to vary across health conditions, with modest weight loss observed in healthy individuals (pooled effect size -1.04 Kg, 95% CI: -1.42 to -0.65) and more significant weight reduction seen in participants with chronic diseases (pooled effect size -3.33 Kg, 95% CI: -5.05 to -1.62) and overweight/obesity (pooled effect size -4.21 Kg, 95% CI: -5.23 to -3.10). The observed decrease in body weight could be partially attributed to factors influencing energy balance, as evidenced by the significantly lower mean calorie intake at the end of the intervention (1694.71 kcal/day, 95% CI: 1498.57-1890.85) compared to the baseline intake (2000.64 kcal/day, 95% CI: 1830-2172.98), despite the absence of intentional efforts to restrict energy intake by the participants. These findings support the efficacy of this lifestyle intervention for weight loss maintenance and guide the development of its clinical guidelines.

TRE is an emerging approach in obesity treatment, yet there is limited data on how it influences gut microbiome composition in humans. Our objective was to characterize the gut microbiome of human participants before and after a TRE intervention. This is a secondary analysis of a previously published clinical trial examining the effects of time-restricted eating (TRE).

In a previously published, 12-week randomized controlled trial, Chow et al. evaluated the effects of an 8-h TRE intervention on body composition in human participants. Chow et al. demonstrated significant reductions in weight, lean mass, and visceral fat in the TRE group compared to those following time-unrestricted eating (non-TRE). Stool samples were collected by a subset of those participants using home kits at both baseline and post-intervention for shotgun metagenomic sequencing for this secondary analysis. Microbiome community composition was compared before and after intervention as alpha and beta diversity.

Sixteen participants provided stool samples (eight in the TRE group and eight in the non-TRE group). Stool samples were collected from all participants at at least one time point, but both pre- and post-treatment samples were available from only five participants who completed both baseline and post-treatment collections. In alignment with the findings of Chow et al., the participants in the TRE group of the secondary analysis who collected microbiome sample(s) successfully reduced their eating window from an average of 15.3 ± 0.8 h at baseline to 9.3 ± 1.7 h during the intervention (mean ± SD, p < 0.001) and the non-TRE group's eating window remained unchanged. While the TRE group lost weight and visceral fat mass, no effect of the TRE intervention was observed on alpha diversity (Shannon index, Simpson index, and number of taxa, linear mixed models), beta diversity (Bray-Curtis, PERMANOVA), even after controlling for weight and visceral fat changes.

Our analysis did not detect any significant differences in gut microbiome composition or diversity indices between participants undergoing a TRE intervention and those in the control group. The study's findings are limited by a small sample size, short duration, and the collection of stool samples at only two time points. Future studies with larger sample sizes, longer durations, and more frequent sampling, and collection of detailed dietary data are needed to better understand the relationship between TRE and gut microbiome dynamics.

Intermittent fasting focuses on the timing of eating rather than diet quality or energy intake, with evidence supporting its effects on weight loss and improvements in cardiometabolic outcomes in adults with obesity. However, there is limited evidence for its feasibility and efficacy in young people. To address this, a scoping review was conducted to examine intermittent fasting regimens in individuals aged 10 to 25 for the treatment of obesity focusing on methodology, intervention parameters, outcomes, adherence, feasibility, and efficacy. Due to the paucity of evidence in this age group, to adequately assess feasibility and adherence, all published studies of intermittent fasting in this age category, regardless of weight status and treatment intention, were included in the review. The review included 34 studies (28 interventional studies and 6 observational studies) with 893 participants aged 12 to 25. Interventions varied with 9 studies in cohorts with obesity utilizing intermittent fasting as an obesity treatment. Thirteen studies utilized 8-h time-restricted eating. Primary outcomes included cardiometabolic risk factors (7/28), anthropometric measurements (7/28), body composition (5/28), muscular performance (4/28), feasibility (1/28), and others (4/28). All 9 studies conducted in young people with obesity reported some degree of weight loss, although the comparator groups varied significantly. This review underscores the various utilizations of intermittent fasting in this age group and highlights its potential in treating obesity. However, the findings emphasize the need for rigorous studies with standardized frameworks for feasibility to ensure comparability and determine intermittent fasting's practicality in this age group depending on the treatment outcome of interest.

Time-restricted feeding (TRF), an intermittent fasting approach involving a shortened eating window within 24 h, has gained popularity as a weight management approach. This review addresses how TRF may favor fat redistribution and the function of the adipose organ. TRF trials (mainly 16:8 model, with a duration of 5-48 weeks) reported a significant weight loss (1.2-10.2%, ~ 1.4-9.4 kg), with a considerable decrease in total fat mass (1.6-21%, ~ 0.5-7 kg) and visceral adipose compartment (VAC, 11-27%) in overweight and obese subjects. Experimental TRF in normal-fed and obesogenic-diet-fed mice and rats (with a fasting duration ranging between 9 and 21 h within 1-17 weeks) reported a significant reduction in body weight (~ 7-40%), total fat mass (~ 17-71%), and intrahepatic fat (~ 25-72%). TRF also improves VAC and subcutaneous adipose compartment (SAC) function by decreasing adipocyte size, macrophage infiltration, M1-macrophage polarity, and downregulating inflammatory genes. In conclusion, beyond its effect on body weight loss, total fat mass, and intrahepatic fat accumulation, TRF favors adipose organ fat redistribution in overweight and obese subjects by decreasing VAC and improving the function of VAC and SAC.

Obesity is a growing public health issue, especially among young adults, with long-term management strategies still under debate. This prospective study compares the effects of caloric restriction and isocaloric diets with different macronutrient distributions on body composition and anthropometric parameters in obese women during a 12-week weight loss program, aiming to identify the most effective dietary strategies for managing obesity-related health outcomes.

A certified clinical nutritionist assigned specific diets over a 12-week period to 150 participants, distributed as follows: hypocaloric diets-low-energy diet (LED, 31 subjects) and very low-energy diet (VLED, 13 subjects); isocaloric diets with macronutrient distribution-low-carbohydrate diet (LCD, 48 subjects), ketogenic diet (KD, 23 subjects), and high-protein diet (HPD, 24 subjects); and isocaloric diet without macronutrient distribution-time-restricted eating (TRE, 11 subjects). Participants were dynamically monitored using anthropometric parameters: body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist to hip ratio (WHR) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) using the TANITA Body Composition Analyzer BC-418 MA III (T5896, Tokyo, Japan) at three key intervals-baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. The following parameters were evaluated: body weight, basal metabolic rate (BMR), percentage of total body fat, trunk fat, muscle mass, fat-free mass, and hydration status.

All diets led to weight loss, but differences emerged over time. The TRE model resulted in significantly less weight loss compared to LED at the final follow-up (6.30 kg, p < 0.001), similar to the VLED (4.69 kg, p < 0.001). Isocaloric diets with varied macronutrient distributions showed significant weight loss compared to LED (p < 0.001). The KD reduced waist circumference at both 6 and 12 weeks (-4.08 cm, p < 0.001), while significant differences in waist-to-hip ratio reduction were observed across diet groups at 12 weeks (p = 0.01). Post-hoc analysis revealed significant fat mass differences at 12 weeks, with HPD outperforming IF (p = 0.01) and VLED (p = 0.003). LCD reduced trunk fat at 6 weeks (-2.36%, p = 0.001) and 12 weeks (-3.79%, p < 0.001). HPD increased muscle mass at 12 weeks (2.95%, p = 0.001), while VLED decreased it (-2.02%, p = 0.031). TRE showed a smaller BMR reduction at 12 weeks compared to LED.

This study highlights the superior long-term benefits of isocaloric diets with macronutrients distribution over calorie-restrictive diets in optimizing weight, BMI, body composition, and central adiposity.

Heart failure is a leading cause of mortality worldwide, necessitating the development of novel therapeutic and lifestyle interventions. Recent studies highlight a potential role of time-restricted feeding (TRF) in the prevention and treatment of cardiac diseases. Here, it is found that TRF protected against heart failure at different stages in mice. Metabolomic profiling revealed that TRF upregulated most circulating amino acids, and amino acid supplementation protected against heart failure. In contrast, TRF showed a mild effect on cardiac amino acid profile, but increased cardiac amino acid utilization and activated the cardiac urea cycle through upregulating argininosuccinate lyase (ASL) expression. Cardiac-specific ASL knockout abolished the cardioprotective effects afforded by TRF. Circulating amino acids also protected against heart failure through activation of the urea cycle. Additionally, TRF upregulated cardiac ASL expression through transcription factor Yin Yang 1, and urea cycle-derived NO contributes to TRF-afforded cardioprotection. Furthermore, arteriovenous gradients of circulating metabolites across the human hearts were measured, and found that amino acid utilization and urea cycle activity were impaired in patients with decreased cardiac function. These results suggest that TRF is a promising intervention for heart failure, and highlight the importance of urea cycle in regulation of cardiac function.

Different intermittent fasting (IF) protocols have been proven to be efficient in improving cardiometabolic markers, but further research is needed to examine whether or not combining IF regimens plus physical exercise is superior to control diets (ie, nonfasting eating) plus physical exercise in this setting.

The aim of this study was to determine whether or not combining IF plus exercise interventions is more favorable than a control diet plus exercise for improving cardiometabolic health outcomes.

PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were comprehensively searched until April 2023.

Electronic databases were searched for clinical trials that determined the effect of IF plus exercise vs a control diet plus exercise on body weight, lipid profile (high-density lipoprotein [HDL], low-density lipoprotein [LDL], triglycerides, and total cholesterol), and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP, respectively). Analyses were conducted for IF plus exercise vs a nonfasting diet plus exercise to calculate weighted mean differences (WMDs).

The meta-analysis included a total of 14 studies, with a total sample of 360 adults with or without obesity. The duration ranged from 4 to 52 weeks. IF plus exercise decreased body weight (WMD = -1.83 kg; P = 0.001), LDL (WMD = -5.35 mg/dL; P = 0.03), and SBP (WMD = -2.99 mm Hg; P = 0.003) significantly more than a control diet plus exercise. HDL (WMD = 1.57 mg/dL; P = 0.4) and total cholesterol (WMD = -2.24 mg/dL; P = 0.3) did not change significantly for IF plus exercise vs a control diet plus exercise, but there was a trend for reducing triglycerides (WMD = -13.13 mg/dL; P = 0.07) and DBP (WMD = 2.13 mm Hg; P = 0.05), which shows clinical magnitude.

IF plus exercise improved some cardiometabolic outcomes (body weight, blood pressure, and lipid profile) compared with a control diet plus exercise.

PROSPERO registration no. CRD42023423878.

Time-restricted eating (TRE) is a dietary regimen that limits food intake for at least 12 h daily. Unlike other fasting protocols, TRE does not dictate what or how much to eat but rather focuses on the timing of meals. This approach has been previously demonstrated to improve body composition in individuals with obesity or metabolic impairments. However, its impact on body composition and cardiometabolic factors in healthy individuals remains unclear. Furthermore, the optimal fasting duration is still debated. Thus, we aimed to compare the effects of 8 weeks of different fasting durations on body composition and biochemical parameters in metabolically healthy, non-trained individuals using a parallel randomized controlled trial.

Forty-one volunteers were randomly assigned to one of the four experimental groups: TRE 16:8 (16 h of fasting,8 h of eating), TRE 14:10 (14 h of fasting,10 h of eating), TRE 12:12 (12 h of fasting,12 h of eating) or a normal diet group (ND; no dietary restriction). Participants underwent body composition measurements and blood tests for lipid profiles (i.e., total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides), fasting glucose, leptin, and anabolic hormones (i.e., insulin and testosterone) levels. Data were analyzed using both intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analysis to account for compliance. A two-way ANOVA for repeated measures was employed to assess interactions between time and group.

In the ITT analysis, TRE 16:8 reduced body mass (-2.46%, p = 0.003) and absolute fat mass (-8.65%, p = 0.001) with no changes in lean soft tissue and in calorie intake. These results were consistent with the PP analysis which included 8 participants in TRE 16:8, 5 in TRE 14:10, 9 in TRE 12:12, and the entire ND group. Participants in the TRE 16:8 group spontaneously reduced their total caloric intake, although this reduction was not statistically significant. None of the other measurements significantly changed after 8 weeks.

Our results suggest that a 16-hour fasting window, even without caloric restriction, may be a viable strategy for improving body composition in healthy and non-trained individuals, whereas a shorter fasting period may be insufficient to produce significant changes in a healthy population.

NCT, NCT04503005. Registered 4 August 2020, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04503005 .

The effect of a healthy low-carbohydrate diet (HLCD) and time-restricted eating (TRE), alone or in combination, on body weight and gut microbiome beyond caloric restriction remains unclear. In this 12-week two-by-two factorial randomized trial with a 28-week follow-up among 96 participants with overweight or obesity, isocaloric-restricted feeding yields significant weight loss, ranging from 2.57 to 4.11 kg across different groups. Beyond caloric restriction, HLCD and TRE lead to additional reduction in body mass index. HLCD results in additional fat mass loss while TRE yields more lean mass loss. Additionally, HLCD leads to decreased fecal branched-chain amino acids, and TRE tends to yield an increased abundance of probiotic species involved in synthesizing short-chain fatty acids. Moreover, the effect of HLCD on reducing fat mass is sustained during the post-intervention follow-up. Overall, HLCD and TRE are effective in weight management and yield profound gut microbiome and metabolome alteration beyond caloric restriction. This study was registered at ChiCTR.org.cn (ChiCTR2200056363).

Meal timing strategies, such as time-restricted eating (TRE), reducing meal frequency, or altering calorie distribution across the day, have gained interest for their potential to enhance weight loss and metabolic health, particularly in managing chronic diseases, yet their long-term benefits are not known.

To evaluate the association between meal timing strategies (≥12 weeks) and anthropometric and metabolic indicators.

Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched from inception to October 17, 2023.

Randomized clinical trials, regardless of language and publication date, involving adults 18 years and older, evaluating within-day meal timing patterns for 12 or more weeks, and reporting anthropometric measures were included. Studies were excluded if participants had eating disorders, prior significant weight change, underwent bariatric surgery, were pregnant, or if controlled variables differed between groups.

Study quality was determined via Risk of Bias 2.0 tool. Data were extracted independently by multiple reviewers. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines were used. Meta-analysis was performed using random-effects model on pooled continuous outcomes with 2 or more studies.

Weight change in kilograms, reported as between-group mean difference with 95% CIs.

Sixty-nine reports of 29 randomized clinical trials including 2485 individuals (1703 [69%] female; mean [SD] age, 44 [9.5] years; and mean [SD] body mass index, 33 [3.5]) were included. Study interventions included TRE (17 studies), meal frequency (8 studies), and calorie distribution (4 studies). There were some concerns of risk of bias for 7 studies and high concerns for 22 studies. Statistically significant weight change was observed in TRE when compared with control (-1.37 kg; 95% CI, -1.99 to -0.75 kg). Lower meal frequency and earlier caloric distribution were also both associated with greater change (-1.85 kg; 95% CI, -3.55 to -0.13 kg; and -1.75 kg; 95% CI, -2.37 to -1.13 kg, respectively).

The findings of this meta-analysis suggest that TRE, lower meal frequency, and earlier caloric distribution in the day may reduce weight compared with standard care and/or nutritional advice; however, the effect sizes found were small and of uncertain clinical importance. High heterogeneity and risk of bias among included studies led to concerns about the certainty of the underpinning evidence. Further research, including trials with larger sample sizes, standardized interventions with prescribed or matched energy intake, and longer follow-up, are needed.

This systematic review aims to comprehensively evaluate the literature regarding the impact of variations in dietary intake, both between- and within-day, on adiposity and glucose metabolism. We included observational and experimental articles obtained from PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and gray literature until 9 October, 2023, evaluating the impact of between- or within-day variations in meal, energy, or macronutrient intake on these outcomes. Our focus was on adults aged ≥18 y, spanning both healthy individuals and those with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Given the diverse range of exposures, treatments, and outcomes among the selected articles, we chose a qualitative synthesis approach to effectively analyze the data. Eighty articles from 43 observational and 37 experimental studies were included, involving 89,178 participants. Patterns of dietary intake variation were identified and systematically organized into distinct categories based on similarities. Between-day variations in dietary intake consisted of between-day variations in both the quantity consumed and meal timing. Meanwhile, within-day variations encompassed factors such as eating window, meal omission, within-day meal timing, within-day variation in dietary intake quantity, and temporal distribution. Despite mixed results, time-restricted eating was generally associated with lower adiposity. However, limited control for total daily energy intake (TDEI) suggests that the contribution of lower energy intake cannot be conclusively excluded. Conversely, the adverse effect of meal omission on glucose parameters was consistently supported by randomized trials. Interestingly, the results showed that consuming a substantial portion of TDEI in the morning may increase the likelihood of observing improvements in adiposity. Furthermore, inconsistencies in outcomes across articles examining the effects in healthy compared with T2DM populations, or in energy-sufficient compared with deficient individuals, indicate potential condition-specific effects. These findings support the need for further investigation into the effects of between- and within-day variations in dietary intake to better understand their impact on adiposity and glucose homeostasis. This review was registered in PROSPERO as CRD42020214307.

Circadian rhythms are important biological contributors to health. Rest activity rhythms (RAR) are emerging as biomarkers of circadian behavior that are associated with chronic disease when abnormal. RAR have not yet been characterized in chronic kidney diseases (CKD). Leveraging the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2011-2014), patients with CKD (n = 1114; Mean [95% CI]: Age, 50 [58-61] y; 52% female) were compared with non-CKD individuals (n = 5885; Age, 47 [46-48] y; 52% female). Actigraphy data were processed for RAR parameters including rhythmic strength (amplitude), the rhythm adjusted mean (mesor), the timing of peak activity (acrophase), activity regularity (inter-daily stability), and activity fragmentation (intra-daily variability). Cox regression was performed to assess RAR parameters for the prediction of all-cause mortality. Compared to non-CKD adults, patients with CKD had a lower rhythmic amplitude and mesor, and exhibited greater fragmentation and less day-to-day stability in RAR (ps < 0.001). Among CKD patients, a lower rhythmic amplitude (HR [95% CI]: 0.88 [0.82-0.96]; p < 0.001), a lower rhythm adjusted mean (0.87 [0.81-0.95]; p = 0.002), and a higher daily activity fragmentation (1.87 [1.10-3.18]; p = 0.023) were associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality. Patients with CKD showed dampened rhythmic amplitudes and greater fragmentation of activity that were associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality. These findings demonstrate a relationship between circadian disruption and prognosis in patients with CKD.

The precise mechanisms underlying the health benefits of time-restricted eating (TRE) are unclear, particularly in adolescents.

This secondary analysis examines the impact of 8-h TRE on energy intake, dietary composition and quality in adolescents with obesity, using data from a 12-week randomized, controlled pilot trial.

Participants (14-18 years with BMI >95th percentile) were assigned to either 8-h TRE with real-time or blinded continuous glucose monitoring or a control group with a 12+ h eating window. Dietary intake was analysed using the Nutrient Data System Recall 24-h Dietary Recall and the Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2020) for assessing diet quality.

The study included 44 participants (32 TRE, 12 control), predominantly female and Hispanic/Latino. The TRE group showed a significant reduction in mean energy intake (-441 kcal/day), carbohydrates (-65 g/day), added sugar (-19 g/day) and fat (-19 g/day), while the control group had a similar reduction in energy intake (-437 kcal/day) and carbohydrates (-63 g/day), but no significant changes in added sugar or fat. The percent energy intake from protein increased more in the TRE group compared to the control. The TRE group experienced a significant improvement in diet quality, with a 6.3-point increase in HEI-2020 score; however, between-group comparisons were not statistically significant.

There were no significant differences between the TRE and control groups in energy intake, dietary composition or quality. Future research with larger sample sizes is needed to further evaluate the potential impact of TRE on dietary behaviours.

Time-restricted eating (TRE), limiting daily dietary intake to a consistent 8 to 10 hours without mandating calorie reduction, may provide cardiometabolic benefits.

To determine the effects of TRE as a lifestyle intervention combined with current standard-of-care treatments on cardiometabolic health in adults with metabolic syndrome.

Randomized controlled trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04057339).

Clinical research institute.

Adults with metabolic syndrome including elevated fasting glucose or hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c; pharmacotherapy allowed).

Participants were randomly assigned to standard-of-care (SOC) nutritional counseling alone (SOC group) or combined with a personalized 8- to 10-hour TRE intervention (≥4-hour reduction in eating window) (TRE group) for 3 months. Timing of dietary intake was tracked in real time using the myCircadianClock smartphone application.

Primary outcomes were HbA1c, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and glycemic assessments from continuous glucose monitors.

108 participants from the TIMET study completed the intervention (89% of those randomly assigned; 56 women, mean baseline age, 59 years; body mass index of 31.22 kg/m2; eating window of 14.19 hours). Compared with SOC, TRE improved HbA1c by -0.10% (95% CI, -0.19% to -0.003%). Statistical outcomes were adjusted for age. There were no major adverse events.

Short duration, self-reported diet, potential for multiple elements affecting outcomes.

Personalized 8- to 10-hour TRE is an effective practical lifestyle intervention that modestly improves glycemic regulation and may have broader benefits for cardiometabolic health in adults with metabolic syndrome on top of SOC pharmacotherapy and nutritional counseling.

National Institutes of Health.

There is a need to investigate the effect of lifestyle modifications on cardiometabolic health-related issues that occur during menopause. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of resistance and endurance circuit training program alone (exercise group, n = 34) with the effect of time-restricted eating (16:8) combined with a training program (combination group, n = 28) on cardiometabolic health in 62 menopausal women (aged 51.3 ± 4.69 years). Testing was conducted before and after a 12-week period and included an assessment of body composition, glycemic control, lipid panel, blood pressure, and anthropometric measurements. Decreases in body mass index and systolic blood pressure were significantly greater in the combination group than in the exercise group (F(1,60) = 4.482, p = 0.038, η2 = 0.07; F(1,57) = 5.215, p = 0.026, η2 = 0.08, respectively, indicating moderate effects). There were significant decreases in fat mass (p = 0.001, r = 0.654), glucose level (p = 0.017, r = 0.459), insulin level (p = 0.013, r = 0.467), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (p = 0.009, r = 0.499), waist circumference (p = 0.002, r = 0.596), and waist-to-height ratio (p = 0.003, r = 0.588) (indicating moderate effect) in the combination group, while there were no significant changes in the exercise group. There were no changes in lipid panel indicators in either group. This is the first study to investigate the effect of time-restricted eating combined with exercise in menopausal women. The results of the study provide evidence that the combination of time-restricted eating and exercise leads to a greater body mass index reduction than exercise alone in menopausal women.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT06138015 registered 18 November 2023-Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06138015 .

Time-restricted eating (TRE) is a circadian rhythm-based intermittent fasting intervention that has been used to treat obesity. However, the efficacy and safety of TRE for fat loss have not been comprehensively examined and the influences of TRE characteristics on such effects are unknown. This systematic review and meta-analysis comprehensively characterized the efficacy and safety of TRE for fat loss in adults with overweight and obese, and it explored the influence of TRE characteristics on this effect.

A search strategy based on the PICOS principle was used to find relevant publications in seven databases. The outcomes were body composition, anthropometric indicators, and blood lipid metrics. Twenty publications (20 studies) with 1288 participants, covering the period from 2020 to 2024, were included.

Compared to the control group, TRE safely and significantly reduced body fat percentage, fat mass, lean mass, body mass, BMI, and waist circumference (MDpooled = -2.14 cm, 95% CI = -2.88~-1.40, p < 0.001), and increased low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (MDpooled = 2.70, 95% CI = 0.17~5.22, p = 0.037), but it did not alter the total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides (MDpooled = -1.09~1.20 mg/dL, 95% CI -4.31~5.47, p > 0.05). Subgroup analyses showed that TRE only or TRE-caloric restriction with an eating window of 6 to 8 h may be appropriate for losing body fat and overall weight.

This work provides moderate to high evidence that TRE is a promising dietary strategy for fat loss. Although it may potentially reduce lean mass and increase LDL, these effects do not pose significant safety concerns. This trial was registered with PROSPERO as CRD42023406329.

Intermittent fasting has gained popularity as a dietary intervention to improve metabolic health. Metabolic syndrome may benefit from intermittent fasting by improving weight, cholesterol levels, blood pressure (BP), and glucose control. This study aims to assess the effects of intermittent fasting on weight, BMI, cholesterol levels, BP, and glucose in individuals with metabolic syndrome. This systematic review and meta-analysis followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and included 11 studies examining the effects of intermittent fasting on metabolic syndrome. A comprehensive search of PubMed and Google Scholar identified 6,451 studies, of which 11 met the inclusion criteria. Data on weight, BMI, cholesterol, BP, and glucose levels were extracted, and a random effects meta-analysis was conducted to assess outcomes. Analysis showed significant improvements in weight, with a mean reduction of 3.59 kg (95% CI: -4.59 to -2.59, p < 0.0001) and a decrease in BMI of 1.39 kg/m2 (95% CI: -1.87 to -0.92, p < 0.0001). Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels dropped by 56.22 mg/dL (95% CI: -80.14 to -32.29, p < 0.0001), and systolic BP decreased by 5.54 mmHg (95% CI: -7.55 to -3.53, p < 0.0001). However, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol showed minimal changes, and glucose levels remained stable. Intermittent fasting led to significant reductions in weight, BMI, LDL cholesterol, and BP, making it a promising non-pharmacological strategy for managing metabolic syndrome. Further research is needed to explore long-term effects and optimal fasting protocols for different populations.

Intermittent fasting (IF) refers to periodic fasting routines, that caloric intake is minimized not by meal portion size reduction but by intermittently eliminating ingestion of one or several consecutive meals. IF can instigate comprehensive and multifaceted alterations in energy metabolism, these metabolic channels may aboundingly function as primordial mechanisms that interface with the immune system, instigating intricate immune transformations. This review delivers a comprehensive understanding of IF, paying particular attention to its influence on the immune system, thus seeking to bridge these two research domains. We explore how IF effects lipid metabolism, hormonal levels, circadian rhythm, autophagy, oxidative stress, gut microbiota, and intestinal barrier integrity, and conjecture about the mechanisms orchestrating the intersect between these factors and the immune system. Moreover, the review includes research findings on the implications of IF on the immune system and patients burdened with autoimmune diseases.

Time-restricted eating (TRE) is a nutritional intervention that confines the daily time-window for energy intake. TRE reduces fasting glucose concentrations in non-pregnant individuals, but whether this eating protocol is feasible and effective for glycemic control in pregnancy is unknown. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to investigate the adherence to and effect of a 5-week TRE intervention (maximum 10 h daily eating window) among pregnant individuals at risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), compared with a usual-care control group. Participants underwent 2-h oral glucose tolerance tests and estimation of body composition, before and after the intervention. Interstitial glucose levels were continuously measured, and adherence rates and ratings of hunger were recorded daily. Thirty of 32 participants completed the trial. Participants allocated to TRE reduced their daily eating window from 12.3 (SD 1.3) to 9.9 (SD 1.0) h, but TRE did not affect glycemic measures, blood pressure, or body composition, compared with the control group. TRE increased hunger levels in the evening, but not in the morning, and induced only small changes in dietary intake. Adhering to a 5-week TRE intervention was feasible for pregnant individuals with increased risk of GDM but had no effect on cardiometabolic outcomes.

Randomized controlled trials have confirmed the effectiveness of four prevalent caloric restriction regimens in reducing obesity-related health risks. However, there is no consensus on the optimal regimen for weight management in adults.

We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane CENTRAL up to January 15, 2024, for randomized controlled trials (RCT) involving adults, evaluating the weight-loss effects of alternate day fasting (ADF), short-term fasting (STF), time-restricted eating (TRE), and continuous energy restriction (CER). The primary outcome was body weight, with secondary outcomes including BMI, fat mass, lean mass, waist circumference, fasting glucose, HOMA-IR, and adverse events. Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted, ranking regimens using the surface under the cumulative ranking curve and the probability of being the best. Study quality was assessed using the Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis tool.

Data from 47 RCTs (representing 3363 participants) were included. ADF showed the most significant body weight loss (Mean difference (MD): -3.42; 95% Confidence interval (CI): -4.28 to -2.55), followed by TRE (MD: -2.25; 95% CI: -2.92 to -1.59). STF (MD: -1.87; 95% CI: -3.32 to -0.56) and CER (MD: -1.59; 95% CI: -2.42 to -0.79) rank third and fourth, respectively. STF lead to decline in lean mass (MD: -1.26; 95% CI: -2.16, -0.47). TRE showed benefits on fasting glucose (MD: -2.98; 95% CI: -4.7, -1.26). Subgroup analysis revealed all four caloric restriction regimens likely lead to modest weight loss after 1-3 months, with ADF ranked highest, but by 4-6 months, varying degrees of weight regain occur, particularly with CER, while interventions lasting 7-12 months may result in effective weight loss, with TRE potentially ranking first during both the 4-6 months and 7-12 months periods. ADF showing fewer and shorter-lasting physical symptoms.

All four included regiments were effective in reducing body weight, with ADF likely having the most significant impact. Each regimen likely leads to modest weight loss after 1-3 months, followed by weight regain by 4-6 months. However, interventions lasting 7-12 months achieve greater weight loss overall.

PROSPERO: CRD42022382478.

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the synergistic impact of time-restricted feeding (TRF) combined with resistance training (RT) (TRF + RT) on body composition and metabolic health in adults, contrasting it with habitual eating patterns (CON) and RT (CON + RT).

Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, five databases were searched up to 28 April 2024. Randomized controlled trials or crossover trials assessing the effects of TRF + RT for at least 4 weeks in adults were selected. Data were pooled as standardized mean differences (SMDs) or weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The risk of bias was evaluated using the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool.

Seven studies with 164 participants were included in the final analysis. TRF + RT significantly reduced body mass (WMD -2.90, 95% CI: -5.30 to -0.51), fat mass (WMD -1.52, 95% CI: -2.30 to -0.75), insulin (SMD -0.72, 95% CI: -1.24 to -0.21), total cholesterol (WMD -9.44, 95% CI: -13.62 to -5.27), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (WMD -9.94, 95% CI: -13.47 to -6.41), and energy intake (WMD -174.88, 95% CI: -283.79 to -65.97) compared to CON + RT. No significant changes were observed in muscle mass, strength, or other metabolic markers.

TRF + RT, in contrast to CON + RT, significantly improved body composition, insulin, and cholesterol levels without affecting muscle mass or strength.