Loading
Life sciences · Journal article
Journal of Medicine Pharmacology and Medical Devises Technology · September 4, 2026
Well-designed and adequately powered for the question it asks.
This three-arm RCT demonstrates that longer daily fasting windows (16:8) produce greater short-term weight and metabolic improvements than moderate (14:10) or minimal (12:12) time restriction in Indian adults with overweight or obesity. Mean weight loss ranged from 3.9% to 7.5% depending on fasting duration, with 72.6% of the 16:8 group achieving ≥5% weight loss at 12 weeks. The authors suggest 14:10 may offer a pragmatic compromise between efficacy and adherence, but the trial's single-centre design and 12-week timeframe do not establish long-term sustainability or generalizability beyond the enrolled population.
Prospective randomized three-arm controlled trial. Indian adults with overweight or obesity (BMI 25.0–39.9 kg/m²) enrolled at Pushpagiri Medical Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre.. Intervention: Time-restricted eating: 16:8 regimen (8-hour eating window, 16-hour fasting daily).. Compared with: Time-restricted eating: 12:12 regimen (12-hour eating window, 12-hour fasting daily) and 14:10 regimen (10-hour eating window, 14-hour fasting daily).. n = 186. Single centre: Pushpagiri Medical Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, India..
Mean percentage weight loss: 3.9±1.8% (12:12), 6.1±2.1% (14:10), and 7.5±2.3% (16:8), p<0.001 Achievement of ≥5% weight loss: 29.0% (12:12), 58.1% (14:10), and 72.6% (16:8), p<0.001 Reductions in BMI, waist circumference, body-fat percentage, fasting glucose and HbA1c were greatest with 16:8 TRE
Adherence declined with longer fasting duration; adverse events were infrequent and comparable across groups
Clinicians should consider individualizing time-restricted eating prescriptions based on patient tolerance and adherence capacity, with 16:8 regimens producing the greatest metabolic benefit if adherence is achievable, while 14:10 may be more sustainable for many patients. The short 12-week duration and single-centre setting mean results should be interpreted as indicative rather than definitive for broader populations or longer-term maintenance.
Well-designed three-arm RCT with adequate sample size, clear primary endpoints (weight loss and metabolic markers), and clinically meaningful effect sizes across all groups, though single-centre and short-term follow-up limit generalizability.
As stated by the source record.
Quoted from the source exactly as published.
Clinicians should consider individualizing time-restricted eating prescriptions based on patient tolerance and adherence capacity, with 16:8 regimens producing the greatest metabolic benefit if adherence is achievable, while 14:10 may be more sustainable for many patients. The short 12-week duration and single-centre setting mean results should be interpreted as indicative rather than definitive for broader populations or longer-term maintenance.
Graded across the dimensions that decide whether you should act, each from what the source actually supports. There is no single score, and where a dimension was not assessed it says so.
Background: Time-restricted eating (TRE) is increasingly used for weight management, but the optimal daily fasting duration remains uncertain, particularly in Indian adults with overweight or obesity. Objective: To compare the effects of 12:12, 14:10 and 16:8 TRE regimens on weight reduction and metabolic outcomes. Methods: This prospective randomized three-arm study included 186 adults with BMI 25.0–39.9 kg/m² at Pushpagiri Medical Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre from November 2025 to April 2026. Participants were allocated equally to 12:12, 14:10 or 16:8 TRE and followed for 12 weeks with standardized dietary and physical-activity advice. Results: Baseline characteristics were comparable. Mean percentage weight loss was 3.9±1.8%, 6.1±2.1% and 7.5±2.3% in the 12:12, 14:10 and 16:8 groups, respectively (p<0.001). Achievement of ≥5% weight loss occurred in 29.0%, 58.1% and 72.6% of participants, respectively (p<0.001). Reductions in BMI, waist circumference, body-fat percentage, fasting glucose and HbA1c were greatest with 16:8 TRE. Adherence declined with longer fasting duration, while adverse events were infrequent and comparable. Conclusion: Longer daily fasting produced greater short-term weight and metabolic improvements, although 14:10 may offer a favorable balance between efficacy and adherence. These findings support individualized selection of TRE schedules according to desired weight loss, metabolic benefit, tolerability, and capacity for sustained adherence in practice. Keywords: Intermittent fasting; Metabolic health; Obesity; Time-restricted eating; Weight reduction.
Taken from the source record, never inferred. Follow any of these and new work involving them reaches your briefing.