A randomized feasibility trial of time-restricted eating during pregnancy in people with increased risk of gestational diabetes

Skarstad, Hanna M.S., Haganes, Kamilla L., Sujan, Md Abu Jafar, Gellein, Trine M., Johansen, Mariell K., Salvesen, Kjell Å., Hawley, John A. and Moholdt, Trine (2024) A randomized feasibility trial of time-restricted eating during pregnancy in people with increased risk of gestational diabetes. Scientific Reports, 14 (1). 22476. ISSN 2045-2322

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Abstract

Time-restricted eating (TRE) is a nutritional intervention that confines the daily time-window for energy intake. TRE reduces fasting glucose concentrations in non-pregnant individuals, but whether this eating protocol is feasible and effective for glycemic control in pregnancy is unknown. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to investigate the adherence to and effect of a 5-week TRE intervention (maximum 10 h daily eating window) among pregnant individuals at risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), compared with a usual-care control group. Participants underwent 2-h oral glucose tolerance tests and estimation of body composition, before and after the intervention. Interstitial glucose levels were continuously measured, and adherence rates and ratings of hunger were recorded daily. Thirty of 32 participants completed the trial. Participants allocated to TRE reduced their daily eating window from 12.3 (SD 1.3) to 9.9 (SD 1.0) h, but TRE did not affect glycemic measures, blood pressure, or body composition, compared with the control group. TRE increased hunger levels in the evening, but not in the morning, and induced only small changes in dietary intake. Adhering to a 5-week TRE intervention was feasible for pregnant individuals with increased risk of GDM but had no effect on cardiometabolic outcomes.