Share on Pinterest A new study found that eating during an 8-hour window led to more weight loss compared to eating throughout the day. Alexander Spatari/Getty Images
A 3-month time-restricted eating (TRE) protocol resulted in up to one year of sustained weight loss in people with overweight or obesity. Adhering to an 8-hour window of eating led to greater weight loss than eating throughout the day, whether early or late. Researchers say that TRE may lead to lasting behavioral and physiological changes that may aid long-term cardiometabolic health.
New research suggests that a three-month protocol of time-restricted eating may help people with overweight and obesity lose weight and maintain that loss for at least one year.
Time-restricted eating (TRE), a form of intermittent fasting, has gained popularity in recent years to aid weight loss. The idea is simple: instead of limiting what you eat, limit when you eat. Individuals who practice TRE typically choose a daily eating window of 8 to 12 hours.
The goal is to reduce snacking and overall calorie intake by avoiding food outside the designated window.
While early research on TRE remains limited, new findings presented at the 32nd European Congress on Obesity in Malaga, Spain, on May 11–14, suggest it could be a useful strategy for improving long-term cardiometabolic health.
“TRE offers a simplified and time-efficient alternative to traditional dieting. It eliminates the need for calorie counting and food tracking, which are common barriers to long-term adherence,” said lead investigator Jonatan R. Ruiz, PhD, professor in the department of Sport Sciences at the University of Granada.
“Our findings support the notion that behavioral simplicity enhances sustainability,” he told Healthline.
Ruiz’s team also observed that weight loss occurred regardless of when participants scheduled their eating window, suggesting that the approach offers considerable flexibility and can be adapted to fit individual lifestyles and routines.