Comparing Early and Late Time-Restricted Eating for Weight Loss in Adolescents with Obesity

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating how limiting eating times to an early or late daily window affects weight loss and body mass index BMI in adolescents with obesity. This 24-week randomized pilot trial includes 100 adolescents aged 13 to 18 years, aiming to compare early time-restricted eating 7 AM to 3 PM versus late time-restricted eating 12 PM to 8 PM and their impact on metabolic health, body composition, and cardiometabolic risk factors. The study also explores how meal timing influences sleep patterns, physical activity, and dietary intake. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups early time-restricted eating or late time-restricted eating. Both groups will follow their assigned eating windows daily for 24 weeks, fasting outside those periods. The study assesses changes in glycemic profiles, beta-cell function, body fat measured by DEXA scans, glucose monitoring, hemoglobin A1c, liver enzymes, and blood pressure. During the study, adolescents will attend scheduled visits and complete assessments on body weight, fat mass, glucose levels, and blood pressure at baseline and week 24. Researchers will monitor adherence to eating and fasting periods, collect data on sleep, physical activity, and dietary intake, and evaluate safety and metabolic outcomes. The total participation duration is 24 weeks, with measurements focused on changes from baseline to study end.

Early vs. Late Time-Restricted Eating in Adolescents With Obesity (EL TREA)