The cross-sectional and prospective associations between time-restricted eating and cardiometabolic health in community-dwelling adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies
Feit V, Schmitz N, Knaub K, Schick LM, Mack I, Shojaa M
European journal of clinical nutrition · 0 citations
How it was studied
- Design
- Meta-analysis (indexed by PubMed)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Independent funding
Based on full-text disclosure statement.
Publication
- Published
- 2026-05-23 · Eur J Clin Nutr · vol. 80 · issue 8 · pp. 747–762
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Cited
- 0 citations · more than 33% of similar papers · 0.0× the field average
- References
- 62 works
- Access
- Open access (hybrid journal) · CC-BY
- Research areas
- Dietary Effects on Health · Circadian rhythm and melatonin · Sleep and related disorders
- Keywords
- Observational study, CINAHL, Abdominal obesity, Obesity, Metabolic syndrome, Cohort study, Prospective cohort study, MEDLINE
- MeSH
- humans, cardiovascular diseases, prospective studies, cross-sectional studies, adult, obesity, abdominal, observational studies as topic, metabolic syndrome, cardiometabolic risk factors, intermittent fasting
6 authors
From DE
- Viktoria FeitUniversity Children's Hospital Tübingen
- Norbert SchmitzUniversity Children's Hospital Tübingen
- Katharina KnaubUniversity Children's Hospital Tübingen
- Lea-Marie SchickUniversity Children's Hospital Tübingen
- Isabelle Mack
- Mahdieh Shojaa · correspondingUniversity Children's Hospital Tübingen; University of Tübingen
Abstract
Background/objectives
Well-established cardiometabolic disease (CMD) prevention strategies emphasize maintaining a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and a normal weight. The role of time-restricted eating (TRE; ≤12 h daily eating window) in improving cardiometabolic health remains elusive. This systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies investigated the associations between TRE and cardiometabolic health in adults.
Subjects/methods
We systematically searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and CINAHL for observational studies examining the association between TRE and cardiometabolic markers in adults for all articles published up to January 13, 2025. Risk of bias was assessed using the NIH Quality Assessment Tool. Qualitative and random-effects meta-analyses were performed if ≥3 studies reported the same outcome; otherwise, results were summarized narratively.
Results
12 cross-sectional and 6 cohort studies were included. Meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies showed no significant association between TRE and abdominal obesity (OR = 0.96; 95% CI: 0.86-1.07; I² = 59%), metabolic syndrome (OR = 1.04; 95% CI: 0.90-1.19; I² = 32%), elevated blood pressure/hypertension (OR = 1.04; 95% CI: 0.971.12; I² = 0%), reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR = 0.94; 95% CI: 0.83-1.06; I² = 78%), elevated triglycerides (OR = 1.06; 95% CI: 0.99-1.14; I² = 0%), and prediabetes/type 2 diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.04; 95% CI: 0.96-1.12; I² = 50%). Due to insufficient data, no conclusions could be drawn about prospective associations.
Conclusions
To date, cross-sectional data have not consistently demonstrated associations between TRE and cardiometabolic health in community-dwelling adults. Until stronger real-world evidence emerges, the priority should remain on established CMD prevention strategies. REGISTRY AND REGISTRY NUMBER FOR SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS OR META-ANALYSES: PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023390410.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY).
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