Time-restricted eating and 24-hour activity patterns in college-aged women

DAWGS in Time-Restricted Eating and Activity Trends (DAWG-TREAT)

This trial will test whether limiting eating to a daily 4–12 hour window changes sleep, physical activity, and sedentary behavior in female University of Georgia students aged 18–26.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 36 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 26 Years
• Sex: Female
• Sponsor: University of Georgia (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Athens, Georgia)
• Trial ID: NCT07520786 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This interventional study assigns female college students to a time-restricted eating schedule (4–12 hour daily eating window) or a control condition and measures changes in their 24-hour activity cycle. Participants will wear activity and sleep monitors and report eating times to capture sleep duration and quality, physical activity, and sedentary behavior. The trial excludes individuals with major chronic diseases, diagnosed sleep or eating disorders, certain medication use, pregnancy/lactation, Division I athletes, and those recently on special diets to focus on healthy young adults. All procedures and measurements are conducted at the University of Georgia Physical Activity Measurement Lab in Athens, GA.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Female full-time undergraduate or graduate students at the University of Georgia, aged 18–26, without major chronic illnesses or disqualifying medications or conditions.

Not a fit: People with chronic diseases, clinically diagnosed sleep or eating disorders, pregnancy or lactation, recent timing-based diets or weight-loss regimens, Division I athletes, or those using nicotine or certain medications are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could improve sleep quality and daily activity patterns for young women, potentially reducing sedentary time and supporting metabolic health.

How similar studies have performed: Previous TRE studies in clinical or older populations have shown modest weight and metabolic benefits, but effects on sleep and 24-hour activity in healthy young adults are largely untested.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Female undergraduate and graduate students
* Enrolled full-time at University of Georgia
* Aged 18-26 years

Exclusion Criteria:

* having one of the following chronic diseases that maybe impacted by the diet changes: type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, thyroid dysfunction, hepatic/renal impairment, inflammatory bowel disease and other gastrointestinal diseases,
* report use of nicotine, thyroid medications, antidepressants, or anti-anxiety medications, melatonin
* having clinically diagnosed sleep disorders
* alcohol intake exceeds two drinks per day
* clinically diagnosed or undiagnosed eating disorders
* division-1 student athletes
* pregnant or lactating or plan on getting pregnant within 6 months
* report major ambulatory disorders,
* recently (within the past two weeks) engaged in caloric restriction, timing-based dietary changes, weight loss regimens, or adhered to specialized diets such as ketogenic or paleo diets,
* required to take medication with food, as these factors may interfere with sleep and physical activity outcomes or pose risks to participant health during restricted eating protocols. Students whose habitual eating time windows are \<10 hours will also not be eligible.

Where this trial is running

Athens, Georgia

• Physical Activity Measurement Lab — Athens, Georgia, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Michael D Schmidt, Ph.D. — University of Georgia
• Study coordinator: Tejaswi Tamilmani Saraswathi, MS

Conditions: Sleep Quality, Compliance, Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviors, Sleep Duration, Time restricted eating, Sleep quality, 24-Hour activity cycle