Early or delayed time-restricted feeding prevents metabolic impact of obesity in mice

Time-restricted feeding (TRF) reduced weight and fat mass compared to ad libitum feeding in mice, with a greater reduction when initiated early during the dark phase.

• TRF improved glucose tolerance and protected against liver fat accumulation caused by a high-fat diet.
• The timing of TRF initiation affected weight loss, with earlier initiation leading to greater benefits.
• Delaying the start of TRF resulted in a phase delay in specific liver clock genes.
• Despite the phase delay, delayed TRF still improved metabolic health compared to unrestricted feeding.
• Findings suggest that flexibility in TRF timing could enhance its applicability for dietary interventions in humans.

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