The purpose of this secondary analysis is to compare the effects of two popular weight loss regimens, time-restricted eating (TRE) and daily calorie restriction (CR), on mood and quality-of-life measures in adults with obesity. Ninety participants were randomized to one of three interventions for 12 months: 8 h TRE (eating only between 12:00 and 8:00 p.m., with no calorie counting); CR (25% energy restriction daily); or no-intervention control group. Questionnaires were administered to measure mood (Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and Profile of Mood States (POMS)) and quality of life (Rand 36-Item Short Form) at baseline and month 12. Body weight decreased in the TRE group (−4.87%, 95%CI: −7.61, −2.13) and CR group (−5.30%, 95%CI: −9.06, −1.54) versus controls, with no difference between TRE and CR. The BDI-II depression score did not change in the TRE or CR group, versus controls, by month 12. Likewise, there were no changes in any of the POMS subscales (tension, depression, anger, fatigue, anger, confusion, or vigor) or the total mood disturbance score in the TRE or CR group versus controls. As for quality of life, there were no significant changes in the SF-36 constructs of mental health, bodily pain, and general physical health in the TRE or CR group versus controls. However, there was a trend towards increased vitality in the TRE group (7.77 [95% CI: 0.15, 15.39] p = 0.05) relative to controls. There were no associations between changes in body weight, physical activity, mood, and quality of life in any group by the end of the study. These findings suggest that TRE and CR produce similar degrees of weight loss, but impact neither mood nor quality of life in adults with obesity over 12 months. Future well-powered studies will be needed to confirm these findings.

Background/Objectives: Obesity is associated with chronic systemic inflammation and elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP). Weight loss through lifestyle interventions can reduce inflammation in adults with obesity. Time-restricted eating (TRE) and calorie restriction (CR) are two popular diet interventions that can produce clinically significant weight loss. However, to date, no studies have directly compared the effects of TRE versus CR on inflammatory cytokines in adults with obesity. Methods: Here, we performed a secondary analysis on a recently published study to compare the long-term (12-month) effects of TRE versus CR on key inflammatory cytokines. Results: We found that while TRE and CR produced similar amounts of weight loss (4–5% from baseline), no statistically significant changes in circulating levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and CRP were noted in the TRE or CR groups, compared to the controls, by month 12. However, we did observe that circulating CRP levels were positively related to body weight, visceral fat mass, and insulin resistance, while IL-6 and TNF-alpha were not related to any metabolic marker. Conclusions: Thus, TRE and CR may not affect key inflammatory mediators with 4–5% weight loss, but more research is warranted.

Background/Objectives: This secondary analysis aimed to compare the effects of time-restricted eating (TRE) versus calorie restriction (CR) and controls on mood and quality of life in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods: Adults with T2D (n = 69) were randomly assigned to one of three interventions for 6 months: 8 h TRE (eating only between 12 and 8 pm daily); CR (25% energy restriction daily); or a no-intervention control group. At baseline and 6 months, mood was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaires, while quality of life was assessed using the Rand 36-Item Short Form (SF-36). Results: Body weight significantly decreased in the TRE group (−3.38%; 95% CI, −6.04 to −0.71%, p = 0.008), but not in the CR group (−1.80%, 95% CI, −4.50 to 0.91%, p = 0.32) versus controls by month 6. Fat mass, lean mass, and visceral fat mass remained unchanged in TRE and CR groups, versus controls, from baseline to month 6. No changes were observed in depression scores (BDI-II), total mood disturbance, or any POMS subscales (tension, depression, anger, fatigue, confusion, or vigor) in either the TRE or CR groups compared to controls. Similarly, there were no significant changes in the quality-of-life SF-36 constructs of vitality, bodily pain, mental health, and general physical health in the TRE or CR group versus controls. By month 6, there were no associations between changes in body weight, quality of life, and mood outcomes in any group. Conclusions: In conclusion, our findings suggest that TRE and CR do not have any effect on mood or quality of life in adults with T2D, relative to controls. However, the participants’ baseline mood and quality of life were generally within healthy ranges, and only minimal weight loss was achieved (3.5%, TRE only), which may explain the lack of observed effects.