Diet tailored to individual body clocks for weight loss

Diet and Chronotype: a Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Effects of a Chronotype-adapted Diet on Weight Loss in Overweight/Obese Subjects

Not applicable Interventional Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi · NCT05941871

This study is testing if a diet that matches people's natural body clocks can help overweight and obese individuals lose weight more effectively than a regular low-calorie diet.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment150 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
SponsorAzienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi Academic / other
Locations1 site (Florence)
Trial IDNCT05941871 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effects of a chronotype-adapted diet on weight loss in overweight and obese individuals. It aims to determine whether customizing meal timing and caloric distribution according to a person's circadian rhythms can lead to more effective weight management compared to a standard low-calorie diet. Participants will be divided into intervention and control groups, with the intervention group receiving dietary guidance based on their chronotype. The study seeks to address the growing concern of obesity and its associated health risks by exploring innovative dietary strategies.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18 to 65 who are overweight or obese with a BMI of 25 kg/m² or higher.

Not a fit: Patients with chronic illnesses, unstable conditions, or those currently on specific drug therapies may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a more effective dietary strategy for weight loss tailored to individual biological rhythms.

How similar studies have performed: While there is increasing interest in chrono-nutrition, this specific intervention approach is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in clinical trials.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* overweight or obese condition (BMI≥25 kg/m2)
* age between 18 and 65 years
* willing to give informes consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* chronic illnesses or unstable conditions (e.g. cancer, kidney or liver disease, inflammatory-intestinal disease, cognitive decline, psychiatric disease)
* drug therapies (use of corticosteroids, antidiabetic drugs)
* pregnancy or intention to become pregnant in the next 12 months
* breastfeeding
* current or recent (last 3 months) adoption of a low-calorie diet

Where this trial is running

Florence

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Overweight and ObesityChrono-nutritionCircadian rhythmsChronotypeWeight loss
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.