Assessing how meal timing affects glucose tolerance in young people
Night Owl Metabolism: Investigating the Impact of Chronotype on Glucose Metabolism in Youth
This study is testing if eating meals at the right times for their body clocks can help young people aged 17-23 manage their blood sugar better.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 70 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 23 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Johns Hopkins University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Baltimore, Maryland) |
| Trial ID | NCT06507722 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates the impact of aligning meal timing and glucose tolerance tests with the natural sleep-wake cycles of young individuals aged 17-23 who have a late or non-late chronotype. Participants will undergo two oral glucose tolerance tests and two standardized meals, with the timing adjusted to match their chronotype, to evaluate differences in glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Continuous glucose monitoring will be utilized to track post-meal glucose levels, and a pilot aim will explore the role of melatonin in glucose metabolism. The study aims to provide insights into how chronotype influences metabolic health in youth.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are overweight youth aged 17-23 with normal sleep patterns and minimal social jetlag.
Not a fit: Patients with known diabetes, significant sleep disorders, or those on medications affecting glucose metabolism may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to personalized dietary recommendations that improve glucose tolerance and metabolic health in young people at risk for prediabetes.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of aligning meal timing with chronotype is novel, related studies have shown promising results in understanding the relationship between circadian rhythms and metabolic health.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Overweight similar to (BMI ≥ 85th percentile but \<95th percentile for age and sex per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth curves (as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth curves contain ages ≤ 20y; if ages 21-23 years, the BMI ≥ 85th and \<95th percentile equivalents for a 20-year-old will be used)) * Post-pubertal * Normal sleep duration (avg. \>7 hours of sleep per night) * Social jetlag (difference between weekend and weekday sleep) of \< 2 hours. Exclusion Criteria: * Known diabetes, sleep disorders, major organ system illness, pregnancy, or genetic syndrome * Medication use known to affect insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance, or circadian rhythm * Screening high risk for obstructive sleep apnea * Night shift work.
Where this trial is running
Baltimore, Maryland
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine — Baltimore, Maryland, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Talia Hitt, MD/MPH/MSHP — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Talia Hitt, MD/MPH/MSHP
- Email: thitt2@jhmi.edu
- Phone: 860-324-0072
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.