Time-Restricted Eating Can Aid in Weight Loss for Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes
- January 11, 2024
In a recent randomized controlled study, researchers investigated the efficacy of time-restricted eating (TRE) as a weight loss strategy for individuals with type 2 diabetes. The study, led by Professor Krista Varady at the University of Illinois at Chicago, included 75 participants with obesity and type 2 diabetes, ranging from 18 to 80 years old. The participants were divided into three groups: time-restricted eating, calorie restriction, and a control group maintaining their regular diet.
The results revealed that individuals practicing time-restricted eating, confining their food intake to an eight-hour window from noon to 8 p.m., experienced a significant weight loss of 3.55% of their body weight over the six-month study period compared to the control group. Conversely, the calorie restriction group, despite counting their calories on the MyFitnessPal mobile app, did not exhibit weight loss relative to the control group. Both the time-restricted eating and calorie restriction groups demonstrated improvements in blood sugar levels, as indicated by reductions in HbA1C levels (-.91% and -.95%, respectively).
The findings suggest that time-restricted eating may offer a practical and sustainable alternative for weight loss in individuals with type 2 diabetes, addressing the challenge of long-term adherence commonly associated with calorie counting. However, it’s crucial for individuals considering this approach to collaborate closely with healthcare professionals, particularly given the diverse array of medications used in managing type 2 diabetes.
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