Exploring prolonged daily fasting as an alternative to calorie restriction for weight loss in obese individuals
Official title: Prolonged Daily Fasting As a Viable Alternative to Caloric Restriction in At-Risk Obese Humans
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-10551991 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how daily fasting, where you only eat during an 8-hour window, compares to regular calorie counting for helping people with obesity lose weight and improve their health over 12 weeks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2020 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $669,417 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK124484-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10551991 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are obese adults who are insulin-resistant and currently have an eating window of 14 hours or more.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not obese or do not have insulin resistance may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of prolonged daily fasting, specifically time-restricted eating (TRE), as a potential alternative to traditional caloric restriction for weight loss in obese individuals. Participants will be assigned to one of three groups: one practicing TRE with an 8-hour eating window, one following a caloric restriction plan, and one with unrestricted eating. The study aims to determine how these different eating patterns affect weight loss, fat mass, and insulin sensitivity over a 12-week period. By focusing on fasting periods, the research seeks to understand how this approach can enhance metabolic flexibility and improve health outcomes for those struggling with obesity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, effective dietary strategy for weight loss and improved metabolic health in obese individuals.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results with time-restricted eating, indicating that this approach may be a viable alternative to traditional caloric restriction.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chow, Lisa Senye — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Chow, Lisa Senye
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Intermittent fasting and blood sugar in adults with diabetes
A study will look at how two forms of intermittent fasting might improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes.
-
Fatty acid signals that control protein production during fasting and aging
This grant explores how fasting changes the way cells produce proteins to slow aging and improve insulin sensitivity, with a focus on type 2 diabetes risk.
-
Adipome biomarkers in obese TNBC mice for targeted therapy
A study in mice explores how fat-derived particles called adipomes influence an aggressive breast cancer type, with the goal of guiding personalized therapies.
-
Intermittent fasting with PD-1 inhibitors for non-small cell lung cancer
This grant tests whether a fasting-mimicking diet can boost the effectiveness of PD-1 inhibitors for people with non-small cell lung cancer.
-
Metabolic-driven stem cells and inflammatory niches in early-onset colorectal cancer
Researchers are studying how metabolic changes from obesity and diet may fuel early-onset colorectal cancer by linking stem cell biology and inflammation in patients.
-
Fasting-mimicking diet and cancer stem cells in Wilms tumor
Aiming to see if a fasting-mimicking diet can boost cancer-killing treatment while protecting healthy cells in children with Wilms tumor.
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.