Impact of Dinner Timing on Metabolism

Dinner Time 2: Effect of Delayed Eating or Sleeping on Metabolism

Not applicable Interventional Johns Hopkins University · NCT04671797

This study tests how eating dinner early or late affects metabolism in healthy adults to see which timing is better for their health.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment66 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 30 Years
SexAll
SponsorJohns Hopkins University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Baltimore, Maryland)
Trial IDNCT04671797 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates how the timing of dinner, either early or late, affects metabolism in healthy adults. Participants will have their circadian rhythms assessed to determine their optimal dinner timing based on individual dim light melatonin onset (DLMO). They will be randomized to eat dinner before or after their DLMO, and the study will also explore the effects of delaying sleep after a late dinner. Blood samples will be collected to analyze metabolic markers such as glucose, insulin, and fat oxidation.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy adults aged 18-30 with a BMI between 18-30 who have a bedtime before 1:00 A.M.

Not a fit: Patients with sleep disorders, diabetes, or those on medications affecting circadian rhythms may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide insights into optimal meal timing for improving metabolic health and weight management.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown significant metabolic differences based on meal timing, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion:

* Healthy male and female adult volunteers, age 18-30
* BMI 18-30 kg/m2
* Accustomed to a bedtime before 1:00 A.M. or having mid-sleep on free days (MSF) earlier than 5 A.M. from the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ) (to exclude extreme late chronotypes)

Exclusions:

* Sleep disorder including insomnia, sleep apnea, circadian rhythm disorder, restless leg syndrome, narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder
* Gastroesophageal reflux disease that affects ability to tolerate a dinner close to bed time.
* Chronic use of sedative hypnotics, anxiolytics, opiates
* Use of medications that can affect circadian rhythm (beta blockers, melatonin)
* Active smoking (may interfere with metabolism and Clinical Research Unit (CRU) activities)
* Diabetes (type 1 or 2)
* HbA1c point of care \>= 6.5%
* Kidney disease
* Any known history of an inherited metabolic disorder
* Pregnant or lactating female (pregnancy test will be required)
* Professional or collegiate athlete
* Travel across \>1 time zone within a 3-month period before and during the protocol
* DLMO \> 24:00 will be excluded from the metabolic study visits

Where this trial is running

Baltimore, Maryland

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 Healthyhealthy volunteersfat oxidationsleepcircadianglucose
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.