Post-intervention sustainability of time-restricted eating versus caloric restriction: a secondary analysis
Authors' conclusion
Despite limitations including small sample size and self-reported weight, both self-sustained TRE and CR showed similar acceptability and weight maintenance at 3-6 months post-intervention.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with obesity after a 12-week supervised intervention; follow-up cohort 24 F/17 M, age 43.1 ± 11.6 years, BMI 34.7 ± 5.4 kg/m²41 completed follow-up
- Participants
- 29 vs 26
- Comparison
- Time-restricted eating vs caloric restriction
- Time-restricted eating (TRE)n = 29
- Caloric restriction (CR)n = 26reference
- Primary endpoint
- Post-intervention sustainability (weight maintenance, continuation and recommendation rates)
- Follow-up
- 1, 3 and 6 months post-intervention
Methodological detailspost-intervention follow-up, Small sample size and self-reported weight
- Post-intervention follow-up
- Small sample size and self-reported weight
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Weight change vs final intervention weight · 1, 3 and 6 months
CR: significant weight loss at 1 month, returning to baseline by 3 months
−1.6 ± 2.5 kg
p = 0.02
Further findings
| Outcome | TRE | CR | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Continuation rates (1, 3, 6 months)Similar | 52%, 36%, 47% | 63%, 57%, 50% | P = 0.60 |
| Recommendation rates (1, 3, 6 months)Similar | 81%, 85%, 86% | 88%, 86%, 80% | P = 0.72 |
Self-reported experiences
- TRE: improved sleep, energy and digestion; morning hunger and scheduling challenges
- CR: increased food mindfulness; tracking anxiety, cravings and potential binge eating
Original publication
Post-intervention sustainability of time-restricted eating versus caloric restriction: a secondary analysis. Int J Obes (Lond). Published 28 November 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →