The Impact of Time-Restricted Meal Intake on Glycemic Control and Weight Management in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: An 18-Month Longitudinal Study.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the impact of time-restricted meal intake (TRM) on anthropometric and biochemical parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: A total of 400 patients diagnosed with T2DM were selected from the Endocrinology Department at King George's Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow, based on the American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines and specific criteria. A total of 127 patients were lost to follow-up, resulting in 273 patients who completed the study. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups: the TRM group (consenting to have an early dinner at 7 pm) and the control group (non-TRM/late-night eater group). Baseline data were recorded, and follow-up assessments were conducted at six months, 12 months, and 18 months. Informed consent was obtained, and a diet chart was regularly maintained and updated.

Results:  The TRM group experienced a significant weight loss of 3.88 kg (5.45%) and a substantial reduction in BMI by 1.5 units (5.26%). In contrast, the non-TRM/control group had smaller reductions in weight (1.36 kg, 1.77%) and BMI (0.5 units, 1.65%). TRM group showed significant reductions in fasting blood sugar levels by 33.9 mg/dl (21.17%), postprandial blood sugar levels by 94.6 mg/dl (38.88%), and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels by 1.37 (15.87%). These improvements were significantly greater than the reductions observed in the control group, which had decreases of 29.3 mg/dl (17.85%) in fasting blood sugar levels, 41.6 mg/dl (16.84%) in postprandial blood sugar levels, and 0.59 (6.89%) in HbA1c levels.

Conclusion: Our findings underscore the potential of TRM as an effective strategy for weight management and glycemic control in patients with T2DM, even in a long-term context. These results support time-restricted eating as a sustainable lifestyle modification for managing chronic metabolic diseases.