A recent study focusing on adults with obesity explored whether daily calorie intake or the timing of meals had a greater impact on weight loss. The findings, reported by Health Day, suggest that total calories consumed each day played the more decisive role in weight reduction compared to when those calories were eaten.
The trial enrolled 41 participants who were obese or prediabetic, with a majority being Black women and an average age in the upper fifties. All participants received meals prepared by the researchers, ensuring the same total daily calories for every person. One group allowed most calories to be consumed after 5 p.m., while the other group restricted eating to the window from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Both groups followed identical daily caloric targets, differing only in meal timing.
After 12 weeks, participants in both groups experienced similar amounts of weight loss, and their sugar levels showed comparable improvements. The study reinforces the idea that simply counting calories can be as effective as adopting time-restricted eating strategies for weight loss, at least within the study period and conditions described (Health Day).
Experts note that intermittent fasting, which confines eating to a specific daily window, may be easier for some people to maintain than strict calorie counting. For individuals without medical contraindications, trying a time-restricted approach could be a practical option. However, the underlying principle remains clear: weight loss is largely driven by the balance between calories consumed and calories expended. In many cases, nighttime eating does not inherently hinder progress if overall daily calories align with weight goals.
Statements about immediate protective effects against cancer, dementia, heart attack, or stroke from such diets should be viewed with caution. While ongoing research continues to investigate long-term outcomes, this particular study highlights that calorie balance is a central factor in weight management and metabolic markers during the observed period.