Investigating time-restricted eating for pregnant women with severe obesity
Official title: A pilot study of time-restricted eating among pregnant females with severe obesity
Funded at University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-11035134 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how eating within a certain time each day might help pregnant women with severe obesity manage their weight and improve their health during pregnancy, while also checking if this way of eating is easy and acceptable for them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | February 15, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $283,478 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK136085-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11035134 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women with a BMI of 40 or higher, particularly those who identify as non-Hispanic Black.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those with a BMI below 40 may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the effects of time-restricted eating (TRE) on pregnant women who have severe obesity. The approach involves allowing participants to consume their daily calories within a specific time window, which may help manage weight gain and improve metabolic health during pregnancy. The study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptability of this eating pattern, as well as its potential to reduce risks associated with severe obesity, such as gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia. Participants will be monitored throughout their pregnancy to evaluate the impact of TRE on their health and pregnancy outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes for pregnant women with severe obesity and their babies.
How similar studies have gone: While time-restricted eating has shown promise in other populations, this specific application in pregnant women is novel and has not been previously tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tussing-Humphreys, Lisa — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Tussing-Humphreys, Lisa
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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.