Limited-duration calorie restriction might support long-term weight management
Over the past few years, the intermittent fasting diet trend has become increasingly popular. This eating pattern involves having a specific eating window each day to help individuals lose weight and maintain weight loss. However, there's been some debate on whether certain times of day are more advantageous for the eating window.
Recently, a study presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) 2025 found that long-term, sustainable weight loss is possible through time-restricted eating, regardless of the time of day the eating window falls. Participants from Spain with an average age of 49, who were considered to have overweight or obesity, were recruited for the study and assigned to one of four groups for 12 weeks.
- Habitual eating window of more than 12 hours
- Early time-restricted eating with an 8-hour eating window that starts before 10:00am
- Late time-restricted eating with an 8-hour eating window that starts after 1:00pm
- Self-selected time-restricted eating where participants could choose their own 8-hour eating window
Researchers recorded the body weight, waist, and hip circumference of each participant at the beginning, after 12 weeks, and 12 months after the conclusion of the study.
The study found that all time-restricted eating groups lost weight after 12 weeks, with those in the early time-restricted eating group experiencing the largest decline in hip and waist circumference. Moreover, at the 12-month mark, participants in the habitual eating group experienced weight gain, while those in the time-restricted eating groups maintained weight loss.
Lead author Alba Camacho-Cardenosa, PhD, states that their findings suggest that time-restricted eating is effective for short-term weight loss and can be a sustainable long-term approach for maintaining weight. She adds that maintaining weight loss over time is one of the biggest challenges in obesity management.
While the research is yet to be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, these findings suggest that choosing the time for an eating window during intermittent fasting is less crucial than adhering to a long-term eating plan.
Doctors recommend considering personal daily schedules to determine which eating times work best and navigating nutritional needs.. The body has a migrating motor complex (MMC) that maintains and supports other digestive and systemic processes, and routines and specific mealtimes can help them work more optimally. To obtain the best results, dietitians encourage exploring the why, how, what, and when of our eating habits.
- The study at ECO 2025 demonstrated that long-term weight loss can be achieved through time-restricted eating, regardless of the time of day the eating window falls.
- The research found that all time-restricted eating groups lost weight after 12 weeks, with the early time-restricted eating group showing the largest decline in hip and waist circumference.
- After 12 months, participants in the habitual eating group saw weight gain, while those in the time-restricted eating groups maintained weight loss.
- Lead author Alba Camacho-Cardenosa suggests that time-restricted eating can be an effective approach for short-term weight loss and long-term weight management.
- For the best results, dietitians recommend balancing personal daily schedules with nutritional needs, exploring the reasons behind eating habits, and considering how, what, and when to eat.
