UC San Diego

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a pathologic condition characterized by a cluster of risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, an increased body mass index (BMI), and abnormal cholesterol levels, all of which raise the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. MetS affects a large proportion of the United States population, especially those over the age of 60. Time-restricted eating (TRE), which entails limiting one's daily eating window to 10 hours or less, has demonstrated significant potential in enhancing metabolic health and modulating body composition through the optimization of circadian rhythms. This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effects of TRE compared to a Mediterranean Diet on body weight, overall body fat percentage, and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) mass via dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans in a population of adults with MetS. A total of 122 individuals were randomized 1:1 to a TRE arm and a standard of care (SOC) arm for 10 weeks. This study found significant differences between the SOC and TRE groups, with the TRE group exhibiting a greater mean weight reduction (-6.57 lbs) compared to the SOC group (-2.89 lbs) from baseline to the end of the 10-week intervention period (p = 0.015). Regarding overall fat percentage, the TRE group demonstrated a significantly larger mean change (-1.36%) compared to the SOC group (-0.115%), indicating a more substantial reduction in body fat(p = 0.005). Evaluation of VAT mass revealed that the TRE group experienced a significantly greater reduction compared to the SOC group, even after adjusting for baseline VAT mass (p < 0.001). Notably, males in the TRE group exhibited a pronounced effect, with an additional average decrease of -66.44 g in VAT mass compared to females. These findings suggest that TRE has favorable effects on weight loss, overall fat percentage, and VAT mass reduction. The results highlight the potential of TRE as an effective dietary intervention for improving body composition and reducing visceral adiposity. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and evaluate the long-term sustainability of these effects.