Effect of time-restricted feeding on body composition and cardio-metabolic risk in middle-aged women in Taiwan

We sought to investigate the effects of time-restricted feeding (TRF) and a traditional weight-loss method on body composition and cardio-metabolic risk factors in middle-aged women.In a single-center, randomized, open-label, parallel-group design, women ages 40 to 65 y with body mass index ≥ 24 kg/m2 or waist circumference > 80 cm were recruited. They were guided to a daily low-calorie diet of 1400 kcal and randomly assigned into a TRF group (limit 8 h of eating time and fasting for 16 h) or a non-TRF group (traditional weight-loss method, unrestricted eating time) for 8 wk. Body composition, blood pressure, blood biochemical variables, and insulin resistance status were measured before and after intervention.Body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, and body fat mass decreased significantly in both groups after 8 wk of intervention (P < 0.05). Body weight decreased more in the TRF group than the non-TRF group (-4.1% ± 2.8% versus -2.4% ± 2.5%; P = 0.012), as did diastolic blood pressure (75.3 ± 11.2 mm Hg versus 70.5 ± 9.4 mm Hg; P = 0.012). There were no statistical differences between the two groups in total cholesterol, triacylglycerols, high- or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and fasting insulin level. However, fasting glucose and insulin resistance status increased significantly for the TRF group after the intervention (respectively, 88.3 ± 7.6 mg/dL versus 92.6 ± 9.6 mg/dL, P = 0.003; 1.7 ± 0.7 versus 2.1 ± 1.0, P = 0.048).The weight loss and reduction in diastolic blood pressure using the TRF method were better than with the traditional weight-loss method. However, this method may increase fasting glucose levels and adverse insulin resistance status.