Effects of Time-Restricted Eating on Sleep and Well-Being in Overweight Adults

Dr. Saurabh Arora, Consultant Endocrinologist, Fortis Hospital, Mal Road, Ludhiana

“New findings showed that time-restricted eating was a feasible weight management approach with no adverse effects on sleep or well-being.”

Obesity is commonly associated with poor sleep, mood disturbances, and reduced quality of life. Time-restricted eating (TRE), has emerged as a potential weight-management strategy.  TRE limits food intake to a fixed daily window, but it is unclear whether the timing of the eating window influences sleep, mood, or well-being. Early TRE may better align with circadian rhythms and reduce late-night eating, while the effects of late or flexible TRE remain uncertain, particularly for mood outcomes.

This secondary analysis evaluated whether different TRE schedules affected sleep, mood, and quality of life in adults with overweight or obesity. In a 12-week randomized clinical trial conducted in Spain, 197 adults aged 30–60 years were assigned to usual care (Mediterranean diet education) or to one of three TRE schedules: early TRE (8-hour window starting before 10 am), late TRE (starting after 1 pm), or a self-selected 8-hour window. All TRE groups also received usual care.

Sleep was objectively measured using accelerometry, while mood (depression, anxiety, stress) and quality of life were assessed using validated questionnaires before and after the intervention. No significant differences were observed between any TRE group and usual care for sleep duration, mood scores, or quality-of-life measures. There were also no differences between early, late, or self-selected TRE schedules.

Overall, incorporating TRE into usual dietary care did not adversely affect sleep, mood, or quality of life. These findings suggest that TRE, regardless of eating window timing, is a feasible weight-management approach without negative effects on psychological or sleep outcomes.

(Source: Clavero-Jimeno A, et al. Time-restricted eating and sleep, mood, and quality of life in adults with overweight or obesity: a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(6):e2517268. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.17268.; https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12199060/#H1-1-ZOI250546)