Research Summary
Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™

Time-Restricted Eating Improves Weight Loss in Type 2 Diabetes

Last updated July 18, 2026

Key finding

Body weight decreased significantly in the TRE group (−3.56% [95% CI, −5.92% to −1.20%]; P = .004).

This study compared Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) and Daily Calorie Restriction (CR) for weight loss in adults with Type 2 Diabetes, finding TRE to be more effective.

Quick read

Study at a glance

The essential study design details in one scan.

EvidenceScore™

Moderate

Study type

RCTs

Follow-up

Medium-Term (3–12 mo)

Risk of bias

Some Concerns

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Plain-language summary

What this paper says

A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.

Study focus

This study compared Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) and Daily Calorie Restriction (CR) for weight loss in adults with Type 2 Diabetes, finding TRE to be more effective.

Clinical relevance

This study highlights the potential of Time-Restricted Eating as a more effective dietary strategy for weight management in adults with Type 2 Diabetes. Given the challenges of weight loss in this population, identifying effective interventions is crucial for improving health outcomes and managing diabetes.

Keep in mind

Limited sample size may affect generalizability. Short duration of the study may not reflect long-term effects. No assessment of adherence to dietary interventions.

Published in

Journal Reference

Publication details and source links for this paper.

Vasiliki P, Sofia C, Shuhao L, et al. Is Time-Restricted Eating More Effective Than Daily Calorie Restriction for Weight Loss in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes?. JAMA Network Open. 2023;6(10):e2339337. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.39337

Main Effects

TRE group demonstrated a significant weight loss of −3.56% (P = .004).

CR group showed a non-significant weight loss of −1.78% (P = .06).

No significant differences in HbA1c changes between TRE (−0.91%) and CR (−0.94%).

Evidence network

How this study fits

Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.

Evidence Context

This study contributes evidence to Calorie restriction, Control (AHCL only), Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) and Body weight, HbA1c.

Primary intervention

Calorie restriction

Primary outcomes

  • Body weight
  • HbA1c

Evidence relationships

Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.

5
Evidence pairs
5
Relationships
3
Evidence topics
contributes_evidence

Editorial context

Why this study matters

See why this paper is useful beyond its individual results.

Evidence network role

This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.

Moderate contributionModerate confidenceNetwork score: 68

3

Related topics

5

Evidence pairs

851

Related studies

High relevance in at least one topic

Why it is useful

  • Contributes to 5 evidence relationships
  • Includes primary outcome data
  • Linked to 3 direct semantic evidence topics

Topic contributions

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

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Primary evidence

Evidence topic

Dietary Patterns

matched_intervention_and_outcome

Related evidence

Evidence topic

HbA1c Reduction

Save evidence

Core evidence

Study findings

The primary outcomes reported in this study.

Body weight

Calorie restriction → Body weight

Calorie restriction → Body weight

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
82
Strong
ImpactScore™
70
Positive
ConsistencyScore™
60
generally_consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 5 studies
Add to Evidence Tracker

HbA1c

Calorie restriction → HbA1c

Calorie restriction → HbA1c

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Strong
Score 79 · Based on 4 studies
ImpactScore™
88
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
75
consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 4 studies
Add to Evidence Tracker

HbA1c

Control (AHCL only) → HbA1c

Control (AHCL only) → HbA1c

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Body weight

Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) → Body weight

Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) → Body weight

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
79
Strong
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
100
consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 3 studies
Add to Evidence Tracker

HbA1c

Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) → HbA1c

Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) → HbA1c

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Strong
Score 79 · Based on 3 studies
ImpactScore™
67
Slightly Positive
ConsistencyScore™
67
generally_consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 3 studies
Add to Evidence Tracker

Evidence Library

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evidence suggest

Evidence Suggest

  • TRE led to a significant weight reduction of −3.56%.
  • CR resulted in a non-significant weight change of −1.78%.
  • HbA1c levels remained similar between TRE and CR groups.
who this applies

Who this applies to

  • Adults aged 18-65 with Type 2 Diabetes.
  • Individuals seeking weight loss strategies.
keep in mind

Keep in Mind

  • Results may not apply to older adults or those with other health conditions.
  • Long-term effects of TRE and CR were not evaluated.
  • Individual responses to dietary interventions can vary.
between the lines

Between the Lines

  • Limited sample size may affect generalizability.
  • Short duration of the study may not reflect long-term effects.
  • No assessment of adherence to dietary interventions.

Evidence Library

Build your evidence library

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Connected Evidence

Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.

Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.

This study contributes to evidence on Calorie restriction and Body Weight, Calorie restriction and HbA1c.

Related evidence relationships

Explore in Evidence Explorer

This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.

Questions answered by this study

Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.

Does Calorie restriction affect body weight?

Strong Evidence

Calorie restriction may improve Body weight.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Body weight

    EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 81.5 | moderate positive | ConsistencyScore™ Generally Consistent | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Jul 2026

Does Calorie restriction improve HbA1c?

Strong Evidence

Calorie restriction appears to improve HbA1c.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    HbA1c

    EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 79.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Jul 2026

Does Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) improve HbA1c?

Strong Evidence

Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) may improve HbA1c.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    HbA1c

    EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 79.0 | weak positive | ConsistencyScore™ Generally Consistent | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Jul 2026

Does Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) affect body weight?

Strong Evidence

Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) appears to improve Body weight.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Body weight

    EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 78.7 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Jul 2026
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