Investigating time-restricted eating for pregnant women with severe obesity

A pilot study of time-restricted eating among pregnant females with severe obesity

NIH-funded research University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-11035134

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 typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11035134 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women with a BMI of 40 or higher, particularly those who identify as non-Hispanic Black.

Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or those with a BMI below 40 may not receive benefits from this research.

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 performed: 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

Chicago, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.