This is a randomised trial of calorie restriction with and without time-restricted eating (could only eat between 0800 and 1600 hrs) in otherwise healthy Chinese patients with an average BMI of 31.3.1
The time-restricted group lost 8 kg while the calorie restriction group lost 6.3 kg at 12 months. There was no statistical difference between the groups.
An accompanying editorial suggested this is not the last word on this issue as other work has shown significant benefit in patients with metabolic syndrome.
The participants also had rigorous supervision leaving open the question that if people were “free-range,” they may do even better in the time-restricted group.
As published in NZ Doctor and Research Review