Early vs late time‑restricted eating compared with daily calorie limits for weight loss
Effects of early vs. late time restricted eating vs. daily caloric restriction on weight loss and metabolic outcomes in adults with obesity
This project compares eating only during an early or late daily time window versus daily calorie limits to help adults with overweight or obesity lose weight.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11293433 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, you would be assigned to one of three approaches: eat only during an early daily window, eat only during a later daily window, or follow daily calorie limits, and you will receive behavioral support used in guideline-based weight programs. Study staff will track your weight, eating patterns, and metabolic measures over time to see which approach leads to better weight loss and health outcomes. The trial is designed to be longer and larger than many previous time‑restricted eating studies and includes counseling to help people stick with the plan. The goal is to find a practical eating schedule that people can follow and that improves weight and metabolic health.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with overweight or obesity who are willing to try a specific daily eating schedule and attend follow-up visits are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who are not able or willing to change their daily eating times, have medical conditions that limit dietary changes, or require specialized medical nutrition may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could show a simpler eating schedule that leads to more sustainable weight loss and better metabolic health for people with overweight or obesity.
How similar studies have performed: Previous time‑restricted eating studies have shown only small weight losses (about 0–4%) and were often short, small, and lacked guideline-based behavioral support, so combining TRE with behavioral counseling is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thomas, Elizabeth Anne — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Thomas, Elizabeth Anne
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.