# Effects of time-restricted eating on weight loss, sleep, and quality of life in obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) patients with obesity: a randomized controlled trial

## TL;DR

An 8-hour time-restricted eating plan helped obese sleep apnea patients lose weight and improved their sleep and quality of life over 12 weeks.

## Contribution

This is the first randomized trial to show TRE benefits for weight loss and sleep in obese OSAHS patients.

## Key findings

- TRE led to a significant within-group BMI reduction of 0.86 kg/m² over 12 weeks.
- TRE improved sleep latency, duration, and efficiency compared to standard care.
- Quality of life scores, especially emotional functioning, improved more in the TRE group.

## Abstract

Weight loss is a key adjunctive therapy for obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) patients with obesity; however, its long-term success rate remains low. Time-restricted eating (TRE) is an emerging dietary strategy for weight-loss, but its application in obese OSAHS patients is still limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of TRE on weight loss, sleep, and quality of life (QoL) in obese OSAHS patients.

In this randomized controlled trial, 68 obese adults with OSAHS were allocated (1:1) to an 8-h TRE group (eating window: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) or a control group receiving standard care for 12 weeks. The primary outcomes were changes in body mass index (BMI) and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI). Secondary outcomes included changes in daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale, ESS), QoL (Calgary Sleep Apnea Quality of Life Index, SAQLI), and OSAHS risk (STOP-Bang questionnaire, SBQ).

Sixty participants completed the study. At 12 weeks, while the between-group difference in BMI change was not significant [adjusted mean difference (MD): −0.18 kg/m2; p = 0.641], the TRE group showed a significant within-group reduction (−0.86 kg/m2; p = 0.033). Compared with the control group, the TRE group showed greater improvements in sleep latency (adjusted MD: 0.44; p = 0.007), sleep duration (adjusted MD: 0.54; p = 0.003), and sleep efficiency (adjusted MD: −0.55; p = 0.001). The TRE group also had greater improvements in the total QoL score (adjusted MD: 0.36; p = 0.027) and in the emotional functioning (adjusted MD: 0.58; p = 0.008).

A 12-week 8-h TRE intervention effectively induced weight loss and improved specific aspects of sleep and QoL in obese patients with OSAHS. TRE shows promise as a beneficial dietary intervention within the comprehensive management of OSAHS and obesity.