Temporal Eating Patterns and Metabolic Health (NCT07630636) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Temporal Eating Patterns and Metabolic Health
United Kingdom400 participantsStarted 2026-06-01
Plain-language summary
Obesity and its related health problem, like fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes, are major health problems worldwide and can lead to serious illness and reduced quality of life. Most advice focuses on eating fewer calories and increasing physical activity, but new research suggests that when we eat may also matter. Late meals can disrupt blood sugar control, how the body processes fat, and hormone balance. However, it is not fully understand how meal timing affects people who may be more at-risk. For example new mothers face disrupted sleep, which can lead to eating later in the day. People with fatty liver disease may have eating patterns that unintentionally worsen their condition.
To explore this, the study will include the following groups;
1. First-time mothers in early motherhood, and women who do not have children.
2. People with fatty liver disease along with people of similar age, sex, and weight who do not have the condition.
The aim of the study is to compare meal timing habits between these groups. All participants will complete a 3-day diet diary and a questionnaire about eating habits, sleep, lifestyle, and daily routines. Some participants may opt to complete an optional body composition check using a mobile app. A smaller subset of volunteers will take part in additional assessment, including a fasting blood sample, basic measurements (such as height, weight, and waist size), a body scan to measure fat and muscle. They will also wear a small device to track their blood sugar and another to monitor sleep and activity for 14 days. This study will increase the current understanding on how eating patterns and daily routines differ in these groups, and may help improve future advice on healthy lifestyles.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 80 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
General (applied to all participants)
* Willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study and perform study assessments
* Access to a smartphone or computer to complete digital questionnaires and dietary logs.
MASLD Cohort
* Age 18-80
* Confirmed self-reported MASLD diagnosis, irrespective of disease stage (cases)
* Control group: Absence of confirmed MASLD diagnosis
Early Motherhood Cohort
* Age 18-50
* Women in early motherhood, defined as up to 12 months of their first successful childbirth delivery at enrolment
* Control group: Women who have never given birth
Exclusion Criteria:
Adult participants may not enter the study if ANY of the following apply:
* Self-reported active disease involving major organ dysfunction (except from Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Cardiovascular Disease for MASLD cohort)
* Current smoking, heavy alcohol consumption (AUDIT score greater than 8 will be classified as heavy alcohol consumption), or recreational drug use
* Current use of appetite-suppressant, appetite-stimulants, or weight-modifying pharmacotherapy (e.g., GLP-1 agonists, antidepressants, GIP agonists)
* Recent unintentional rapid weight loss greater than 5% of body weight within the past 2 months, not attributable to recent pregnancy or intentional postpartum weight loss.
* Current shift workers, defined as individuals working regular evening, night, rotating, or irregular schedules that disrupt standard sleep-wake cycles.
* Current…
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Eating window duration across study groups
Timeframe: Single time point assessment over 3 non-consecutive days during study participation.