Healthy vs Unhealthy Obesity: Mehanistic Insights and Effects of Time-Restricted Eating

Although clinical differences between metabolically healthy and unhealthy obesity (MHO and MUO, respectively) have been extensively described, cellular mechanisms involved in these different phenotypes are largely unknown. This evidence is crucial for proposing preventive and therapeutic approaches. Recently, intermittent fasting methods, in particular time-restricted eating (TRE, a self-selected daily limited eating window protocol), have shown to be effective in improving cardiometabolic health, independently of weight loss, which could be particularly relevant in MUO.

The investigators will recruit young (20-22y-old) males with obesity (Body Mass Index≥30) and classify them as MHO or MUO (≤1 or ≥3 metabolic syndrome risk factors, respectively). A 16-week, 8h TRE intervention will be conducted in MHO vs. MUO subgroups, to assess and compare the anthropometric, metabolic, endocrine, inflammatory and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) mechanistic/signaling response.

The investigators expect to advance the understanding of cellular mechanisms implicated in MHO and MUO, including potential therapeutic targets. Ultimately, the investigators expect to find relevant opportunities for intervention to prevent the serious cardiometabolic consequences of obesity.

Inclusion criteria

• Belong to the GOCS cohort at INTA
• BMI≥30
• Own and use a Smartphone with Apple iOS or Android OS
• Baseline eating period ≥ 13 h per day.

Exclusion criteria

• Medications for any metabolic syndrome disorder
• Shift workers
• Known inflammatory and/or rheumatologic disease
• History of cardiovascular event
• Thyroid or adrenal disease, malignancy or diabetes
• History of eating disorder.
• Special diet (e.g., celiac disease),or any other disease or treatment that may interfere with the study.