Brief
Eight‑hour eating window linked to sustained weight loss in new study
A three‑month trial found that restricting meals to any eight‑hour period helped overweight adults lose weight and keep it off for 12 months.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Researchers presented new findings at the European Congress on Obesity in Malaga, showing that overweight and obese adults who limited daily food intake to an eight‑hour window lost more weight than those eating over longer periods, and maintained the loss for at least a year.
What happened
The trial involved 99 participants who followed one of four 12‑week eating patterns: a 12‑hour or longer window, an eight‑hour window starting before 10 a.m., an eight‑hour window starting after 1 p.m., or a self‑selected eight‑hour window. All groups received Mediterranean‑diet tips. Weight, waist and hip measurements were taken at baseline, after the 12‑week plan, and again at 12 months.
What the reports add
According to the Independent, the early‑time‑restricted and late‑time‑restricted groups each lost about 3 kg to 4 kg, while the 12‑hour‑plus group lost an average of 1.4 kg. At the one‑year follow‑up, the longer‑window group gained 0.4 kg on average, whereas the early and late eight‑hour groups each showed roughly a 2 kg loss. The self‑selected eight‑hour group also lost weight, but the change was not statistically significant. Around 85 % to 88 % of participants in the eight‑hour groups reported sticking to the plan.
What was said
Lead author Dr Alba Camacho‑Cardenosa of the University of Granada told the Independent, “Our study found that restricting the eating window to eight hours at any time of the day for three months can result in significant weight loss for at least a year. These benefits can be attributed to the 16‑hour fasting window rather than the time of eating.” Study co‑ordinator Dr Jonatan Ruiz, also from Granada, added that the approach appears feasible for adults with overweight or obesity who wish to have a sustainable weight‑management strategy.
How it came about
The research builds on a previous randomised controlled trial by the same team published in Nature Medicine, which showed eight‑hour eating reduced body weight and improved cardiometabolic health. The new study extends those findings by tracking participants for a full year to assess long‑term effects.
Key facts
- Participants who ate within an eight‑hour window lost about 3‑4 kg over 12 weeks. (independent.co.uk)
- Weight loss was maintained at roughly 2 kg after 12 months for the eight‑hour groups. (independent.co.uk)
- Around 85‑88 % of those on an eight‑hour schedule adhered to the plan. (independent.co.uk)
- The study involved 99 overweight or obese adults split into four eating‑pattern groups. (independent.co.uk)
- Researchers measured weight, waist and hip circumferences at baseline, 12 weeks and 12 months. (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Can being specific about when you eat help you lose weight? Experts reveal all”
