Effects of time-restricted eating on blood pressure in children: A cluster randomized controlled trial.
Xiaofei Wu, Jingkun Miao, Zhilian Peng et al.
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In 30 seconds
This 12-month, three-arm cluster-randomized controlled trial in two schools evaluated time-restricted eating (TRE) among 192 children and adolescents with elevated blood pressure. Classes were assigned to a 12-hour eating window with the last meal before 8:00 PM, a 12-hour window without a fixed last mealtime, or no time restriction. Both TRE groups had significant systolic blood pressure reductions: -7.03 mmHg with the fixed mealtime and -5.29 mmHg without it. The fixed-mealtime group also had a significant diastolic reduction and the largest reported changes. Interpretation should account for the cluster design and substantial attrition.
Key findings
- Systolic blood pressure fell by -7.03 mmHg in TREa (95%CI, -10.77 to -3.29 mmHg; P < 0.001) and -5.29 mmHg in TREb (95%CI, -9.44 to -1.14 mmHg; P = 0.013).
- In TREa, diastolic blood pressure changed by -4.09 mmHg (-6.80 to -1.38 mmHg; P < 0.001); the change differed significantly from control (P = 0.006).
- At 12 months, retention was 59.4% (114/192), with loss to follow-up of 40.6% (78/192).
Why it matters
Elevated blood pressure in children and adolescents is a clinically relevant target, and this trial reports lower blood pressure after a structured 12-hour eating window over 12 months. The findings provide evidence for further evaluation of meal timing as a possible behavioral approach, while the observed attrition and cluster-randomized design warrant caution in interpreting the estimates.
What to keep in mind
The trial involved two schools and had substantial attrition: 40.6% of participants were lost to follow-up by 12 months. The authors also advise considering the cluster design.