Relationship Between Sleep and Meal Timing with Glycemia Parameters in Individuals with Obesity Participating in a Randomized Time-Restricted Eating Study.

Creator(s)

• Sirimon Reutrakul
• Stacey L. Simon
• Qi Wang
• Emily N C Manoogian
• Satchindananda Panda
• Suryeon Ryu, Children's Mercy Kansas CityFollow
• Zan Gao
• Caleb Griffiths
• Erika Helgeson
• Douglas G. Mashek
• Niki Oldenburg
• Lisa Senye Chow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-5-2026

Identifier

DOI: 10.3390/nu18111824; PMCID: PMC13259180

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Circadian misalignment, including mistimed sleep or eating, is associated with altered glucose metabolism. The importance of eating window timing for time-restricted eating (TRE) is increasingly recognized. This secondary analysis examined associations between meal to sleep timing intervals and glycemic parameters in individuals with obesity across three dietary interventions [TRE, CR: caloric restriction, and UE: unrestricted eating]. Methods: Participants aged 18-65 years with obesity were randomized to a 12-week intervention: TRE (8 h eating window), CR (15% reduction in daily caloric intake), or UE (usual eating habits). CGM and actigraphy were assessed over two weeks at baseline and end-intervention. Mixed effects models examined associations between continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) outcomes and two intervals: last meal to sleep onset (PM meal-Sleep) and awakening to first meal (Awake-AM meal). Results: Each hour increase in the Awake-AM meal interval was associated with lower overnight (1 AM-5 AM) average glucose, lower glycemic variability, lower %time > 180 mg/dL, and greater %time < 70 mg/dL. Each hour increase in the PM meal-Sleep interval was associated with lower overnight (1 AM-5 AM) average glucose. Both associations persisted after adjustment for baseline sleep duration, HbA1c, and randomization assignment. Conclusions: In individuals with obesity, morning (Awake-AM meal interval) and evening (PM meal-Sleep interval) fasting relative to sleep were differentially associated with glycemic control. These findings highlight the relevance of eating and sleep timing to glycemic parameters and may inform eating window selection for individuals practicing TRE.

Journal Title

Nutrients

Volume

18

Issue

11

First Page

1824

MeSH Keywords

Humans; Adult; Middle Aged; Obesity; Female; Male; Blood Glucose; Intermittent Fasting; Meals; Sleep; Continuous Glucose Monitoring; Young Adult; Adolescent; Aged; Time Factors; Circadian Rhythm; Feeding Behavior; Caloric Restriction; Sleep Duration; Actigraphy

PubMed ID

42280467

Keywords

chrononutrition; circadian rhythms; continuous glucose monitoring; eating window; glycemic control; metabolic health

Comments

Grants and funding

• R01DK124484/National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
• UM1TR004405-01A1/CTSA Award
• Grant 76014/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
• Dexcom Pro sensors, product only/Dexcom Inc
• R01DK139356/National Institutes of Health Clinical Center

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license.

Publisher's Link: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/11/1824

Recommended Citation

Reutrakul S, Simon SL, Wang Q, et al. Relationship Between Sleep and Meal Timing with Glycemia Parameters in Individuals with Obesity Participating in a Randomized Time-Restricted Eating Study. Nutrients. 2026;18(11):1824. Published 2026 Jun 5. doi:10.3390/nu18111824