Time-Restricted Eating Is Feasible and Acceptable and Improves Glycemic Control in Veterans with Spinal Cord Injury and Obesity: A Pilot Trial.

Background

Veterans with spinal cord injury (SCI) represent the largest single group of individuals with SCI nationwide. They have a high prevalence of obesity (76.7%) and cardiometabolic disease (57.5%). Time-restricted eating (TRE) involves eating within a consistent, daily window of ≤10 h and can improve cardiometabolic health. Here, we investigated the feasibility and acceptability of TRE among veterans with SCI and obesity and collected preliminary data on its cardiometabolic effects.

Methods

We implemented a 6-week, single-arm trial of 10 h daily TRE among a convenience sample of 15 veterans with SCI and obesity.

Results

Fourteen participants completed the trial. Among completers, TRE had high feasibility (83.0% adherence; mean window of 9.2 ± 1.5 h) and moderately high acceptability (50% planned to continue TRE post-trial and 79% would recommend TRE to a friend). TRE also improved several markers of glycemic control, including 24 h glucose levels (-7 ± 3 mg/dL, p = 0.02); Glucose Management Indicator (GMI), which estimates average HbA1c levels (-0.2 ± 0.1%, p = 0.02); and time in range (3.2 ± 1.6%, p = 0.02); and reduced time above range (level 1 hyperglycemia) (-2.0 ± 0.9%, p = 0.04). Half of participants reported improvements in aspects of physical or mental health, including mood, energy, and quality of life.

Conclusions

TRE is both feasible and acceptable to veterans with SCI and obesity and has the potential to improve glycemic control. Larger trials are needed to test the effectiveness of TRE for reducing weight and improving cardiometabolic health in this high-risk population.