Central ObesityNCT07062315
Impact of Chronotype-Based Time-Restricted Eating on Visceral Fat and Metabolic Health in Physically Inactive Adults With Central Obesity
A study testing Chronotype-matched time-restricted eating and Chronotype-unmatched time-restricted eating in people with Central Obesity and Time Restricted Eating, run by Chinese University of Hong Kong at 1 site in China.
Trial summary
Time-restricted eating (TRE) has gained attention as a promising dietary strategy for enhancing body composition and metabolic health. This innovative eating pattern involves confining daily food intake to a specific window, typically spanning 6-10 hours. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Central Obesity, Time Restricted Eating
- What is being tested?
- Chronotype-matched time-restricted eating and Chronotype-unmatched time-restricted eating
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 90 participants
- Where
- 1 siteChina
- Study dates
- 31 Jul 2025to Dec 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Chinese adults, male or female, aged between 18-65 years old;
- BMI of 23 kg/m² or higher, with a waist circumference exceeding 80 cm for females and 90 cm for males;
- Weight stability for at least three months prior to the start of the study;
- Physically inactive, indicated by not meeting established WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behavior (i.e., at least 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity or at least 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise; or an equivalent combination of moderate and vigorous-intensity activity throughout the week;
- Baseline eating duration exceeding 10 hours per day;
- Identified as either early or late chronotypes (Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire)
Who cannot join
- Individuals currently or chronically receiving pharmacological treatment for hypertension, diabetes, weight loss, or other metabolic conditions;
- Night shift workers;
- Individuals with eating disorders;
- Female participants who are breast-feeding, pregnant, or attempting to become pregnant;
- Individuals currently participating in other weight-management programs or following other prescribed diet programs.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
China1 site
Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong
About this study
Time-restricted eating (TRE) has gained attention as a promising dietary strategy for enhancing body composition and metabolic health. This innovative eating pattern involves confining daily food intake to a specific window, typically spanning 6-10 hours. Given the lack of consensus on the optimal TRE strategy, this research explores whether tailoring eating windows to individual chronotypes enhances TRE outcomes. This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of chronotype-matched versus chronotype-unmatched TRE protocols, compared to a control group, over a 12-week period on visceral fat mass and other metabolic health outcomes in physically inactive adults with central obesity. Additionally, the study seeks to determine whether chronotype-matched TRE offers greater benefits in terms of visceral fat reduction and metabolic improvements compared to chronotype-unmatched TRE. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, and after the 12-week intervention.
- Conditions
- Central Obesity, Time Restricted Eating
- Being tested
- Chronotype-matched time-restricted eating, Chronotype-unmatched time-restricted eating
- Medical subject headings
- Obesity, Abdominal, Intermittent Fasting
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Chronotype-matched time-restricted eatingBehavioural
A 12 weeks time-restricted eating intervention that match participants' chronotype
Chronotype-unmatched time-restricted eatingBehavioural
A 12 weeks time-restricted eating intervention that not match participants' chronotype
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Chronotype-matched TRE | Experimental | Participants will eat ad libitum within an 8-hour eating window that match their chronotype. Receives: Behavioral: Chronotype-matched time-restricted eating |
| Chronotype-unmatched TRE | Active comparator | Participants will eat ad libitum within an 8-hour eating window that unmatch their chronotype. Receives: Behavioral: Chronotype-unmatched time-restricted eating |
| Waitlist control | No intervention | Participants in the waitlist control group will be instructed to maintain their previous eating or physical activity habits during the 12-week intervention. They will not receive any specific dietary advice or guidance. Weekly check-ins will be conducted to confirm continued participation and adherence. If they wish to participate, we will provide a suitable intervention after the duration of the study period. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Visceral fat mass
Visceral fat mass will be assessed using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Measured: 12 weeks
Secondary outcomes (12)
Subcutaneous fat mass
Subcutaneous fat mass will be assessed using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Measured: 12 weeks
Body weight
Body weight (kg) will be measured by a bioelectrical impedance analyzer (BIA) with minimum clothing.
Measured: 12 weeks
Body mass index (BMI)
BMI (kg/m2) will be calculated using body weight (kg) and height (m)
Measured: 12 weeks
Body composition (Fat mass, fat free mass)
Body composition including fat mass and fat-free mass (kg) will be measured by bioelectrical impedance analyzer (BIA) with minimum clothing.
Measured: 12 weeks
Anthropometric measures
Waist and hip circumferences (cm) will be assessed by standard procedures using a tension tape accurate to 0.1 cm. The waist-hip ratio will be calculated accordingly.
Measured: 12 weeks
Fasting glucose metabolism
Fasting blood samples will be used to analyze biomarkers of glucose metabolism, including fasting glucose (mmol/L), fasting insulin (mU/L), HbA1c (mmol/mol), as well as derived indices (HOMA-IR) calculated from fasting glucose and insulin levels.
Measured: 12 weeks
Fasting lipid metabolism
Fasting blood samples will be used to analyze different biomarkers of lipid metabolism including triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (mmol/L)
Measured: 12 weeks
Dietary patterns
Dietary pattern including eating window and dietary intake will be assessed using a seven-day food record
Measured: 12 weeks
Subjective sleep quality
Subjective sleep quality will be assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
Measured: 12 weeks
Objectively sleep quality
Objectively sleep quality will be assessed by accelerometer
Measured: 12 weeks
Subjective quality of life
Quality of life will be assessed through questionnaires (WHOQOL-BREF)
Measured: 12 weeks
Appetite
Appetite will be measured by visual analog scale (VAS).
Measured: 12 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted14 Jul 2025
- Study start31 Jul 2025
- Primary completionOct 2026 (estimated)
- Study completionDec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Central ObesityStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Chinese University of Hong KongThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 90 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Dai Zihan, Chinese University of Hong Kong
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07062315
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- NTEC-2025-189
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 24 Jun 2025
- Last updated
- 31 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 31 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Impact of Chronotype-Based Time-Restricted Eating on Visceral Fat and Metabolic Health in Physically Inactive Adults With Central Obesity
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07062315
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- NTEC-2025-189
- Conditions
- Central Obesity, Time Restricted Eating
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Enrolling by invitation
- Enrolment
- 90 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Chinese University of Hong KongUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 31 Jul 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 14 Jul 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Time-restricted eating (TRE) has gained attention as a promising dietary strategy for enhancing body composition and metabolic health. This innovative eating pattern involves confining daily food intake to a specific window, typically spanning 6-10 hours. Given the lack of consensus on the optimal TRE strategy, this research explores whether tailoring eating windows to individual chronotypes enhances TRE outcomes. This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of chronotype-matched versus chronotype-unmatched TRE protocols, compared to a control group, over a 12-week period on visceral fat mass and other metabolic health outcomes in physically inactive adults with central obesity. Additionally, the study seeks to determine whether chronotype-matched TRE offers greater benefits in terms of visceral fat reduction and metabolic improvements compared to chronotype-unmatched TRE. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, and after the 12-week intervention.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Chronotype-matched TRE | Experimental | Behavioral: Chronotype-matched time-restricted eatingParticipants will eat ad libitum within an 8-hour eating window that match their chronotype. |
| Chronotype-unmatched TRE | Active comparator | Behavioral: Chronotype-unmatched time-restricted eatingParticipants will eat ad libitum within an 8-hour eating window that unmatch their chronotype. |
| Waitlist control | No intervention | –Participants in the waitlist control group will be instructed to maintain their previous eating or physical activity habits during the 12-week intervention. They will not receive any specific dietary advice or guidance. Weekly check-ins will be conducted to confirm continued participation and adherence. If they wish to participate, we will provide a suitable intervention after the duration of the study period. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Chinese adults, male or female, aged between 18-65 years old;
- BMI of 23 kg/m² or higher, with a waist circumference exceeding 80 cm for females and 90 cm for males;
- Weight stability for at least three months prior to the start of the study;
- Physically inactive, indicated by not meeting established WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behavior (i.e., at least 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity or at least 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise; or an equivalent combination of moderate and vigorous-intensity activity throughout the week;
- Baseline eating duration exceeding 10 hours per day;
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Individuals currently or chronically receiving pharmacological treatment for hypertension, diabetes, weight loss, or other metabolic conditions;
- Night shift workers;
- Individuals with eating disorders;
- Female participants who are breast-feeding, pregnant, or attempting to become pregnant;
- Individuals currently participating in other weight-management programs or following other prescribed diet programs.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Chronotype-matched time-restricted eatingA 12 weeks time-restricted eating intervention that match participants' chronotype | Behavioural | Chronotype-matched TRE |
| Chronotype-unmatched time-restricted eatingA 12 weeks time-restricted eating intervention that not match participants' chronotype | Behavioural | Chronotype-unmatched TRE |
Primary outcome
Visceral fat mass
Time frame: 12 weeks
Visceral fat mass will be assessed using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
12 secondary outcomes
Subcutaneous fat mass
Time frame: 12 weeks
Body weight
Time frame: 12 weeks
Body mass index (BMI)
Time frame: 12 weeks
Body composition (Fat mass, fat free mass)
Time frame: 12 weeks
Anthropometric measures
Time frame: 12 weeks
Fasting glucose metabolism
Time frame: 12 weeks
Fasting lipid metabolism
Time frame: 12 weeks
Dietary patterns
Time frame: 12 weeks
Subjective sleep quality
Time frame: 12 weeks
Objectively sleep quality
Time frame: 12 weeks
Subjective quality of life
Time frame: 12 weeks
Appetite
Time frame: 12 weeks
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 31 Aug 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Chronotype-matched time-restricted eating and Chronotype-unmatched time-restricted eating in people with Central Obesity and Time Restricted Eating, run by Chinese University of Hong Kong at 1 site in China.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: enrolling by invitation, as of the sponsor's last update on 31 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in China. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Visceral fat mass (time frame: 12 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 31 Aug 2026.