Try a new eating schedule to help manage teenage obesity

Recruiting

What is this trial?

This study is testing whether a simple eating approach called time-restricted feeding works better for teenagers with obesity than traditional calorie-restricted diets. In time-restricted feeding, you eat only during a specific window of time each day (10 AM to 6 PM), which may help your body work better naturally. Researchers will compare this approach to a Mediterranean-style diet without time restrictions, measuring changes in body composition and blood sugar control over 12 weeks.

Obesity in teenagers is a serious health problem, and most teenagers who are obese stay obese into adulthood. Many people struggle to stick with traditional calorie-counting diets long-term. This study is testing whether time-restricted feeding — a simpler, easier-to-follow approach that works with your body's natural rhythms — might help teenagers lose weight and improve their metabolic health.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are between 12 and 18 years old and have completed puberty
you have been diagnosed with obesity and have a related health condition (such as fatty liver, insulin resistance, prediabetes, or high cholesterol)
your weight has been stable for the past 3 months (you haven't gained or lost more than 4 kg)
you own a smartphone with either Apple iOS or Android that you can use for the study
you speak, read, and understand Turkish

You likely don't qualify if…

you have other endocrine, metabolic, or chronic diseases besides obesity and related conditions
you have been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
you have physical or mental disabilities that would prevent participation
you have food allergies, intolerances, or eating disorders
you are currently taking medications that affect metabolism, blood sugar, or sleep patterns

What participation looks like

You would be randomly assigned to one of two groups for 12 weeks. If you're in the time-restricted eating group, you'll eat whatever you want but only between 10 AM and 6 PM each day. If you're in the comparison group, you'll follow a Mediterranean-style eating plan without time restrictions. Throughout the study, researchers will measure your body composition, weight, and blood sugar levels to see which approach helps you most.

Eating Within Set Hours vs. Calorie Counting for Teenage Obesity

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(1 site)