Early time-restricted eating to support postpartum weight loss
Official title: Use of Early Time-restricted Eating to Promote Weight Loss and Improve Cardiometabolic Health in Postpartum Women
Run by University of Alabama at Birmingham · NCT06491537 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program will test whether an early time-restricted eating schedule helps postpartum women with overweight or obesity lose weight and is acceptable for them.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Alabama at Birmingham Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Birmingham, Alabama) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 22, 2025 |
| Main results expected | January 1, 2029 |
| Study ends | February 1, 2029 |
| Registry record updated | June 29, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06491537 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are postpartum women 6–16 weeks after a healthy singleton birth with BMI ≥25 who can consent, communicate in English, and do not meet any exclusion criteria.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with major medical conditions such as diabetes or renal disease, diagnosed eating disorders, current use of weight-altering medications, frequent overnight shift work, regular long fasting habits, or current participation in another dietary/weight program are unlikely to benefit or are excluded.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This pilot randomized two-arm trial will enroll 60 postpartum women (6–16 weeks after a healthy singleton birth) with BMI ≥25 and randomize them 1:1 to a 12-week early time-restricted eating (eTRE) intervention or a control group. The eTRE approach is adapted for postpartum life and limits daily eating to an earlier daily window, while the control arm receives usual care. Primary aims are to measure feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and trial procedures, with secondary comparisons of clinical outcomes (weight and cardiometabolic markers) and patient-reported outcomes. Participants with major medical conditions, diagnosed eating disorders, recent extensive fasting, or other exclusion criteria will be excluded from enrollment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a simple timing-based approach to help postpartum women with overweight or obesity lose weight and improve cardiometabolic health.
How similar studies have gone: Early time-restricted eating has shown cardiometabolic benefits in non-postpartum adult studies, but applying eTRE specifically in postpartum women is relatively novel and not well tested.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 18 years of age or older * Experienced a healthy singleton pregnancy * 6-16 weeks postpartum at enrollment * Body mass index ≥25 at enrollment * Willing to consent Exclusion Criteria: * Self-reported major health condition (such as renal disease, cancer, or Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes) * Current treatment for severe psychiatric disorder (such as schizophrenia) * Self-reported diagnosis of anorexia or bulimia * Current use of medication expected to significantly impact body weight * Current substance abuse * Participation in another dietary and/or weight management intervention postpartum * Performing overnight shiftwork \>1x/week * Regularly fasting ≥14 hr/day or completing twelve or more 24-hr fasts within the past year * Unable to understand and communicate in English
Where it's running
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University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Camille Worthington, PhD — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Camille S Worthington, PhD
- Email: cschneid@uab.edu
- Phone: 205.975.7274
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.