New research highlights the potential of time-restricted eating and calorie timing as effective, sustainable alternatives for weight management and improved blood sugar levels. Study: Meal Timing and Anthropometric and Metabolic Outcomes . Image Credit: Pormezz / Shutterstock.
com In a recent study published in JAMA Network Open , researchers performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to explore the impact of meal timing strategies on body weight management and metabolic outcomes. The efficacy of modern approaches to weight loss The global prevalence of obesity and overweight is sharply increasing, partly because of modifiable lifestyle risk factors, including unhealthy dietary patterns and physical inactivity, both of which are associated with an increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and premature death. Current estimates indicate that most individuals consume food for more than 14 hours each day and snack late at night, which further increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and worsens glycemic control.
Comparatively, intermittent fasting, which involves consuming foods during a six—to ten-hour duration during the active phase of the day, has emerged as a popular weight loss strategy. Dietary modification, including calorie restriction, is considered the primary strategy for body weight management. Meal timing strategies, such as time-restricted eating (TRE), a form of intermittent fasting, meal frequency reducti.