Early time-restricted eating improves an actigraphy-estimated sleep quality in women with overweight or obesity

Background & AimsMetabolic disorders are tightly linked to sleep disturbances. First evidence showed that time-restricted eating (TRE), a growingly popular approach to combat cardiometabolic diseases, can also affect sleep quality. Recommendations for a preferable eating time window are pending. Our aim was to investigate the effects von early and late TRE on sleep quality in women with overweight and obesity. MethodsA total of 31 women with overweight and obesity were included in the controlled randomized crossover study ChronoFast. After a 2-4-week baseline period, participants were randomly allocated to two-weeks early time-restricted eating (eTRE) or late time-restricted eating (lTRE). The phases were switched after a washout phase. During dietary interventions participants were only allowed to consume caloric foods and drinks in the restricted eating window (eTRE: 8 am toTRE 4 pm; lTRE: 1 pm to 9 pm). Assessment of sleep metrics was performed subjectively, using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and self-report of sleep quality, and objectively, by blinded actigraphy. Hunger and satiety scores were examined using a visual analogue scale (VAS). ResultsWhile subjective sleep quality (PSQI and self-reported sleep quality) remained unchanged, an improvement of sleep efficiency (p = 0.047) and sleep fragmentation index (SFI) (p = 0.029) was observed in eTRE intervention compared to baseline as estimated by actigraphy. There were no correlations between hunger and satiety and sleep quality, with no differences of hunger and satiety scores between eTRE and lTRE assessed in the evening on the last day of each intervention. ConclusionseTRE but not lTRE improved objective sleep-quality, which was not related to the feeling of hunger and satiety. eTRE might be more effective strategy for well-being and sleep-related metabolic health outcomes. ClincialTrials.gov number, NCT04351672 (registered on April 17, 2020).