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Time-restricted eating (TRE) reduces weight in humans, but its effects on quality of life have not been well characterized. By performing a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial, we examined the effects of TRE (12-week intervention, 8 h eating window) vs. non-TRE (unrestricted eating) on quality of life (QoL) measures. Twenty subjects with overweight and prolonged eating window (mean (SD): 15.4 h (0.9)) were randomized to either 12 weeks of TRE (8 h eating window: ( n = 11)) or non-TRE ( n = 9). QoL data were collected with the 36-item Short Form Survey (SF-36) pre- and post-intervention. Given a two-way ANOVA model and post-hoc t -test analysis, the TRE group improved limitations due to emotional health post-intervention: +97.0 (10.0)) vs. baseline: +66.7 (42.2) ( p = 0.02) and perceived change in health over the last year end intervention: +68.2 (16.2) vs. baseline: +52.3 (23.6) ( p = 0.001) relative to baseline. The TRE group improved limitations due to emotional health TRE: +97.0 (10.0) vs. non-TRE: +55.6 (44.1) ( p = 0.05) and perceived change in health (TRE: +68.2 (16.2) vs. non-TRE: +44.4 (31.6) ( p = 0.04) relative to the non-TRE group at post-intervention ( p < 0.025). In conclusion, 12 weeks of TRE does not adversely affect QoL and may be associated with modest improvements in QoL relative to baseline and unrestricted eating; these findings support future studies examining TRE compliance and durability.

Weight loss is a major focus of research and public health efforts. Time-restricted eating (TRE) is shown to be effective for weight loss, but the impact on bone is unclear. Short-term TRE studies show no effect on bone mineral density (BMD), but no study has measured bone turnover markers. This secondary analysis examined the effect of 12 weeks of TRE vs. unrestricted eating on bone turnover and BMD. Overweight and obese adults aged 18-65 y ( n = 20) were randomized to TRE (ad libitum 8-h eating window) or non-TRE. Serum N-terminal propeptide of type I collagen (P1NP), cross-linked N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX), and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were measured and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans were taken pre- and post-intervention. In both groups, P1NP decreased significantly ( p = 0.04) but trended to a greater decrease in the non-TRE group ( p = 0.07). The treatment time interaction for bone mineral content (BMC) was significant ( p = 0.02), such that BMC increased in the TRE group and decreased in the non-TRE group. Change in P1NP was inversely correlated with change in weight ( p = 0.04) overall, but not within each group. These findings suggest that TRE does not adversely affect bone over a moderate timeframe. Further research should examine the long-term effects of TRE on bone.

Time-restricted eating (TRE) can facilitate weight loss, yet its effect on eating patterns remains unknown. Twenty adults with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m 2 underwent a 12-week randomized trial, examining the effect of an 8-h, time-restricted eating intervention on dietary patterns. Oral intake was documented using a smartphone. Dietary patterns, assessed as frequency of eating occasions (EOs) and types of meals/snacks and beverages, were compared between baseline (T0), early-intervention (T1), and end-intervention (T2). At T1 and T2, both groups had less EOs compared to T0, with greater reduction seen in the TRE group (-28%) than the non-TRE group (-12%) at T2 ( p = 0.01 vs. non-TRE). Comparing T1 to T0, the TRE group documented less incomplete meals (-32.5%: p = 0.02), high quality snacks (-23.6%: p = 0.03), and low quality snacks (-36.6%: p = 0.004). Comparing T2 to T0, the TRE group documented less incomplete meals (-33.9%: p = 0.03), high quality snacks (-28.1%: p < 0.001) and low quality snacks (-51.2%: p < 0.001). Caffeinated beverage intake was reduced in the TRE group at T1 (-20.2%) and T2 (-28.8%) vs. T0, but remained unaltered in the non-TRE group. By using a smartphone application to document dietary intake, TRE significantly reduced the number of EOs, snacks, and caffeinated beverages, relative to baseline and relative to the non-TRE.