Objective: This study compared the effect of 8-h time-restricted eating (TRE) versus calorie restriction (CR) and a no-intervention control (CON) group on body weight and sleep in adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods: Adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes (n = 75) were randomized to 1 of 3 interventions for 6 months: 8-h TRE (ad libitum eating between 12:00 to 8:00 pm, water fasting between 8:00 to 12:00 pm); CR (25% energy restriction daily); or control (ad libitum food intake with no meal timing restrictions).

Results: Seventy-five participants were enrolled (mean [SD] body mass index, 39 [7]; age, 55 [12] years; 53 [71%] female; HbA1c level 8.1% [1.6%]). By month 6, body weight decreased significantly (P < 0.003) in the TRE group (−3.56% [95% CI, −5.92% to −1.20%]; P = .004) but not the CR group (−1.78% [95% CI, −3.67% to 0.11%]; P = .06), relative to controls. Levels of HbA1c decreased in the TRE (−0.91% [95% CI, −1.61% to −0.20%]) and CR (−0.94% [95% CI, −1.59% to −0.30%]) groups, relative to controls, with no differences between the TRE and CR groups. The morning eveningness questionnaire (MEQ) was used to assess the participants’ chronotypes. The MEQ scores were 58 ± 7 for TRE, 55 ± 9 for CR and 54 ± 10 for the control group at baseline, which corresponds to an intermediate chronotype for all groups. Sleep quality, measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory (PSQI), did not change in the TRE group (baseline: 7.6 ± 3.2; month 6: 7.4 ± 3.2), CR group (baseline: 8.2 ± 3.4; month 6: 7.0 ± 2.8), versus controls (baseline: 9.4 ± 3.8; month 6: 9.0 ± 4.4). Wake time, bedtime, sleep duration, and insomnia severity did not change (no group x time interaction) over the course of the study in any group.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that the weight loss induced by TRE and CR has no effect on sleep quality, duration, or insomnia severity in adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Disclosure

V. Pavlou: None. S. Cienfuegos: None. S. Lin: None. M. Runchey: None. K. Varady: None.

Funding

Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition, University of Illinois Chicago, and National Institutes of Health (R01DK128180 and T32DK128782).

© 2024 by the American Diabetes Association
2024
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