Intermittent fasting and nutrition counseling to improve blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes
Official title: Intermittent Fasting Relative to Nutrition Counseling for Improving Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes
Funded at University of Kansas Medical Center · NIH-11427314 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large 12-month program will compare time-restricted eating, intermittent energy restriction, and standard nutrition education to see which approach best improves blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kansas Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $774,983 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK144207-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11427314 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with type 2 diabetes who are willing to follow structured eating plans and participate in weekly reporting.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals unable or unwilling to follow dietary regimens or commit to weekly monitoring may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
If you have type 2 diabetes, this study tests whether when you eat (either within an 8-hour window or on a limited-calorie plan a few days a week) plus standard diabetes education helps control blood sugar better than education alone. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups and will track their symptoms and glucose data weekly using online surveys and devices. The trial will run for 12 months, with a six-month active intervention and a six-month follow-up, and will involve 210 adults across multiple stages of support. Researchers will monitor changes in glycemic control, weight, and adherence to the eating plans to see which method is most effective and feasible in real life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide clearer guidance on eating patterns that help people with type 2 diabetes manage blood sugar.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data from related pilot work suggest feasibility and meaningful glycemic improvements with time-restricted eating and intermittent energy restriction.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Steger, Felicia — University of Kansas Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Steger, Felicia
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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.