Time-Restricted Eating Improves Quality of Life Measures in Overweight Humans
Ainslee Crose, Alison Alvear, Stephanie Singroy, Qi Wang, Emily N. C. Manoogian, Satchidananda Panda, Douglas G. Mashek, Lisa S. Chow
Abstract
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.