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NCT Number: NCT07062315

Impact of Chronotype-Based Time-Restricted Eating on Visceral Fat and Metabolic Health in Physically Inactive Adults With Central Obesity

Time-restricted eating (TRE) has gained attention as a promising dietary strategy for enhancing body composition and metabolic health. This innovative eating pattern involves confining daily food intake to a specific window, typically spanning 6-10 hours. Given the lack of consensus on the optimal TRE strategy, this research explores whether tailoring eating windows to individual chronotypes enhances TRE outcomes. This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of chronotype-matched versus chronotype-unmatched TRE protocols, compared to a control group, over a 12-week period on visceral fat mass and other metabolic health outcomes in physically inactive adults with central obesity. Additionally, the study seeks to determine whether chronotype-matched TRE offers greater benefits in terms of visceral fat reduction and metabolic improvements compared to chronotype-unmatched TRE. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, and after the 12-week intervention.

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Key information

Conditions

Central Obesity Behavior Body Weight Fasting Feeding Behavior Intermittent Fasting Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Obesity Obesity, Abdominal Overnutrition Overweight Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Time Restricted Eating

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong, China

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Chinese adults, male or female, aged between 18-65 years old;
  • BMI of 23 kg/m² or higher, with a waist circumference exceeding 80 cm for females and 90 cm for males;
  • Weight stability for at least three months prior to the start of the study;
  • Physically inactive, indicated by not meeting established WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behavior (i.e., at least 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity or at least 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise; or an equivalent combination of moderate and vigorous-intensity activity throughout the week;
  • Baseline eating duration exceeding 12 hours per day;
  • Identified as either early or late chronotypes (Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire)

Exclusion criteria

  • Individuals currently or chronically receiving pharmacological treatment for hypertension, diabetes, weight loss, or other metabolic conditions;
  • Night shift workers;
  • Individuals with eating disorders;
  • Female participants who are breast-feeding, pregnant, or attempting to become pregnant;
  • Individuals currently participating in other weight-management programs or following other prescribed diet programs.

Treatment and study plan

Chronotype-matched time-restricted eating

Behavioral

A 12 weeks time-restricted eating intervention that match participants' chronotype

Chronotype-unmatched time-restricted eating

Behavioral

A 12 weeks time-restricted eating intervention that not match participants' chronotype

Primary outcomes

  1. Visceral fat mass

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    Visceral fat mass will be assessed using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Subcutaneous fat mass

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    Subcutaneous fat mass will be assessed using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

  2. Body weight

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    Body weight (kg) will be measured by a bioelectrical impedance analyzer (BIA) with minimum clothing.

  3. Body mass index (BMI)

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    BMI (kg/m2) will be calculated using body weight (kg) and height (m)

  4. Body composition (Fat mass, fat free mass)

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    Body composition including fat mass and fat-free mass (kg) will be measured by bioelectrical impedance analyzer (BIA) with minimum clothing.

  5. Anthropometric measures

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    Waist and hip circumferences (cm) will be assessed by standard procedures using a tension tape accurate to 0.1 cm. The waist-hip ratio will be calculated accordingly.

  6. Fasting glucose metabolism

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    Fasting blood samples will be used to analyze biomarkers of glucose metabolism, including fasting glucose (mmol/L), fasting insulin (mU/L), HbA1c (mmol/mol), as well as derived indices (HOMA-IR) calculated from fasting glucose and insulin levels.

  7. Fasting lipid metabolism

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    Fasting blood samples will be used to analyze different biomarkers of lipid metabolism including triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (mmol/L)

  8. Dietary patterns

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    Dietary pattern including eating window and dietary intake will be assessed using a seven-day food record

  9. Subjective sleep quality

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    Subjective sleep quality will be assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)

  10. Objectively sleep quality

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    Objectively sleep quality will be assessed by accelerometer

  11. Subjective quality of life

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    Quality of life will be assessed through questionnaires (WHOQOL-BREF)

  12. Appetite

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    Appetite will be measured by visual analog scale (VAS).

Other outcomes

  1. Objectively physical activity levels

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    Objectively physical activity levels will be assessed by accelerometer, including time spent in sedentary behavior and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA).

  2. Chronotype

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    Chronotype will be assessed through Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Chinese University of Hong Kong

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jul 14, 2025
Registry last updated
Mar 18, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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