Meal Timing for Metabolism
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial explores how meal timing affects the body's metabolism, specifically how it produces and uses energy. Participants will be divided into groups with different meal schedules: one consuming most calories at breakfast (Early Total Caloric Intake), another consuming more at dinner (Late Total Caloric Intake), and a third spreading calories evenly across meals (Extended Overnight Fast). Suitable candidates are healthy adults aged 30 to 75 who are overweight or obese, sleep 6.5 to 9 hours per night, and are not on special diets or medications. The study aims to determine if meal timing can influence metabolism, potentially varying with age. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding how meal timing impacts health and metabolism.
Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?
The trial requires that you have not used melatonin, psychoactive, hypnotic, stimulant, or pain medications (except occasionally), or beta blockers within the past month. If you are currently using these, you may need to stop before participating.
Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?
Research has shown that changing meal timing can affect metabolism and overall health. For those considering the Early Total Caloric Intake approach, studies suggest that consuming more calories earlier in the day might reduce overall intake, aiding in weight management.
Conversely, the Late Total Caloric Intake strategy, which involves consuming more calories later in the day, has been linked to increased hunger and a higher risk of weight gain. Thus, eating late might not suit everyone.
Both meal timing strategies are generally safe and well-tolerated, with no reports of serious issues from altering meal times. However, individual health conditions should be considered before making changes to meal timing.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores how the timing of meals can impact our metabolism. Unlike traditional diets that often focus just on calorie counting, this trial examines whether eating more calories early in the day or late at night can change how our bodies process food. Specifically, the trial aims to understand if consuming a majority of calories at breakfast ("Early Total Caloric Intake") or at dinner ("Late Total Caloric Intake") affects metabolic health differently from a balanced intake across meals with an "Extended Overnight Fast." By studying these different eating patterns, researchers hope to uncover new ways to optimize metabolism and improve overall health.
What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for metabolism?
This trial will compare different meal timing strategies. Research has shown that consuming most calories earlier in the day can aid weight loss and improve blood pressure. Participants in the Early Total Caloric Intake arm, consuming 60% of their daily calories at breakfast, may experience benefits such as reduced body fat and better blood sugar control. They often feel less hungry throughout the day when eating more in the morning. In contrast, those in the Late Total Caloric Intake arm, consuming most calories later, might experience increased hunger and decreased energy use, potentially leading to weight gain and issues like obesity and metabolic syndrome. Overall, eating earlier in the day appears to manage weight and improve metabolic health more effectively than eating later. The Extended Overnight Fast arm will serve as a comparator, with participants consuming approximately equal calories at each meal.678910
Who Is on the Research Team?
Eve Van Cauter, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of Chicago
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for healthy overweight or obese adults aged 30-75 with a BMI between 25 and less than 40, who sleep between 6.5 to 9 hours nightly within specific hours. Excluded are those with dietary restrictions, certain blood conditions, diabetes, unstable medical issues, recent surgeries or clinical study participation, menopause or pregnancy in women, and various medication uses.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Baseline Assessment
Assessment of habitual sleep, meal timing, and caloric distribution under real-life conditions
Intervention
Participants undergo a 6-day semi-ambulatory inpatient intervention with different caloric distribution models
Post-Intervention Assessment
Repeat short laboratory session to assess changes in metabolic and cardiovascular profiles
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Early Total Caloric Intake
- Extended Overnight Fast
- Late Total Caloric Intake
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Chicago
Lead Sponsor
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Collaborator
Northwestern University
Collaborator