Morning vs. evening calories: which wins for weight loss?
NCT ID NCT06455995
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looks at whether eating most of your daily calories in the morning or the evening leads to better long-term weight loss. About 174 adults with obesity will follow a reduced-calorie diet and exercise plan for 12 months. Researchers will track weight, sleep, and appetite to see if meal timing makes a difference.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 174 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jul 2024
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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25 to 60 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Body mass index (BMI) between 27 and 45 kg/m2. Exclusion Criteria: * Report not regularly (\>/= 5 days/wk) consuming energy (\>/= 100 kcal) prior to 12 pm, and not being able to consume energy every day (\>/= 50 kcal) within one hour of awakening. * Report taking sleep medication or not regularly (\>/= 5 nights/wk) getting at least 6 hrs of total sleep. * Report being a shift workers/alternative shift workers that work outside of 7 am and 7 pm. * Report being diagnosed with type 1, or type 2 diabetes and taking medication that requires eating to occur at certain time periods. * Report a heart condition, chest pain during periods of activity or rest, or loss of consciousness on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q). Individuals reporting joint problems, prescription medication usage, or other medical conditions that could limit exercise will be required to obtain written physician consent to participate. * Report being unable to walk for 2 blocks (1/4 mile) without stopping. * Report major psychiatric diseases or organic brain syndromes. * Report currently participating in a weight loss program and/or taking weight loss or appetite regulation medication or lost \>/= 5% of body weight during the past 6 months. * Report having bariatric surgery for weight loss/planning to have bariatric surgery in the next 12 months. * Report being pregnant, lactating, \< 6 months post-partum or plan to become pregnant (next 12 months). * Report planning to move outside of the metropolitan area within the time frame of the investigation. * Do not have daily access to PC with internet or smartphones (needed for self-monitoring).
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Healthy Eating and Activity Laboratory
RECRUITINGKnoxville, Tennessee, 37996, United States
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