- New research suggests that time-restricted eating could be an effective strategy for weight loss and improved blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
- A recent randomized controlled trial found that participants who limited their eating to an eight-hour window from noon to 8 p.m. experienced greater weight loss compared to those who reduced their overall calorie intake through calorie counting.
- However, researchers caution that individuals should work closely with their physician, as medications and specific dietary requirements may influence the effectiveness of their diet plan.
Weight loss is an important target for individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, a condition closely linked to excess weight or obesity; however, the most effective dietary approach remains unclear.
In a new study, participants who limited their eating to a specific window from noon to 8 p.m. experienced greater weight loss compared to those who simply reduced their overall calorie intake through calorie counting.
Time-restricted eating has gained popularity, but prior to this study, no research had specifically explored an eight-hour eating window in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
The study involved 57 individuals, ages 18–80 years, who had both obesity and type 2 diabetes and who were divided into three groups: one followed time-restricted eating, another practiced calorie restriction and the third served as the control group.
Those in the time-restricted eating group consumed their meals only from noon to 8 p.m., while the calorie restriction group had the flexibility to eat at any time of the day but monitored their calorie intake using the MyFitnessPal mobile app.
Their goal was to reduce their caloric intake by 25% of the maintenance calories required to maintain their current weight, while the control group continued with their regular diet without any specific interventions.
The study was presented at Nutrition 2023, the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, held on July 22–25 in Boston.
“Patients with diabetes can be safely prescribed time-restricted eating but should do so in partnership with their physician,” Dr. Sowemimo said.
Scott also pointed out how important it is to explore confounders, such as the participants’ diabetic medication usage, water intake, activity level, and stress-management approaches.
“For a study like this one regarding dieting strategies to be fully successful, many other components need to be accessed at the same time,” Scott explained.
Scott also highlighted that this study shows that although individuals may recognize the need to practice time-restriction measures to see weight loss, it also demonstrates that there are “easier approaches to weight management that doesn’t involve tracking every piece of food.”
