The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if changing when and how often people eat works to improve health in adults with Type 2 diabetes. The main questions it aims to answer are:
How do these eating patterns change body weight and body fat?
Does changing meal timing and frequency lower blood sugar levels (HbA1c) over 12 weeks?
Does it lower blood fat levels, such as cholesterol and triglycerides?
Researchers will compare three groups to see which eating pattern works best:
Standard Group: Participants eat 3 main meals and 3 snacks (6 times total) each day with a calorie limit.
3-Meal Group: Participants eat only 3 main meals each day with a calorie limit.
Time-Restricted Group: Participants eat all their daily food within an 8-hour window (from 12:00 to 20:00) without a calorie limit.
Participants will:
Follow their assigned eating plan for 12 weeks.
Visit the clinic once every month for checkups and body measurements.
Give blood samples at the start and end of the study for laboratory tests.
Record the food they eat and their physical activity levels.
Who can participate
Age range
19 Years – 64 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:
* Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) for at least 6 months.
* Aged between 18 and 65 years.
* Residing in Antalya, Turkey (to ensure regular follow-up visits).
* Able and willing to provide informed consent.
* Willing to comply with the assigned dietary protocol and follow-up measurements for 12 weeks.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus or other specific types of diabetes.
* Current pregnancy or breastfeeding.
* Working in night shifts or irregular schedules (due to interference with Time-Restricted Eating protocols).
* Having a history of major cardiovascular events (e.g., myocardial infarction, stroke) within the last 6 months.
* Severe renal or hepatic impairment (e.g., Stage 4 or 5 Chronic Kidney Disease).
* Active malignancy or other chronic diseases that may significantly affect nutritional status.
* Significant weight change (more than 5% of body weight) within the last 3 months prior to the study.
* Use of medications that may significantly affect body weight or metabolism other than standard diabetes medications (e.g., systemic corticosteroids).
* History of major gastrointestinal surgery that affects nutrient absorption.
* Severe psychiatric disorders that may limit the ability to follow the study instructions.
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
Change in Body Weight
Timeframe: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 12 weeks