Time-restricted Eating for Postpartum Weight Loss

Use of Early Time-restricted Eating to Promote Weight Loss and Improve Cardiometabolic Health in Postpartum Women

This study is being done to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a time-restricted eating intervention among postpartum women with overweight/obesity.

Existing postpartum weight retention (PPWR) interventions have had limited success. Timing-based interventions, such as early time-restricted eating (eTRE), show significant improvements in cardiometabolic endpoints in non-postpartum cohorts. The purpose of the Time4Mom study is to conduct a pilot randomized trial of a postpartum-adapted eTRE intervention to test feasibility and acceptability of the eTRE intervention and trial protocol. We will also compare changes in clinical outcomes of interest and patient-reported outcomes between eTRE (intervention) and control groups.

This 2-arm trial will randomize 60 postpartum women to either Control or eTRE for 12 weeks (n=30/group).

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 years of age or older
• Experienced a healthy singleton pregnancy
• 6-16 weeks postpartum at enrollment
• Body mass index ≥25 at enrollment
• Willing to consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Self-reported major health condition (such as renal disease, cancer, or Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes)
• Current treatment for severe psychiatric disorder (such as schizophrenia)
• Self-reported diagnosis of anorexia or bulimia
• Current use of medication expected to significantly impact body weight
• Current substance abuse
• Participation in another dietary and/or weight management intervention postpartum
• Performing overnight shiftwork >1x/week
• Regularly fasting ≥14 hr/day or completing twelve or more 24-hr fasts within the past year
• Unable to understand and communicate in English