The WoW Study

Chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, are an increasing problem in Australia and around the world, and partly linked to increased rate of obesity, together with sedentary lifestyles.

Recent research shows that erratic and poor timing of meals is a contributing factor to chronic disease risk, including T2DM. This means that when we eat could be as - or more - important as what we eat for metabolic health.

Our work suggests that time restricted eating (TRE), whereby individuals are simply instructed to confine all energy intake to 8-10 hours per day, is a practical intervention that reduces glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and the glucose and insulin responses to meals in people with obesity and/or T2DM, at least in the short-term.

Importantly, TRE improved insulin sensitivity, blood pressure and oxidative stress, even without weight loss. This multi-centre randomised clinical trial will be the first world-wide to determine the longer-term effects of TRE on glucose control and cardio-metabolic health at three and 12 months follow up.

As part of the study, participants will need to visit the SAHMRI research facilities on North Terrace on 7 separate occasions over a 12-month period (total ~7 hours). Participants will also receive 5 nutrition telehealth consults with one of our researchers and receive $300 via EFT transfer as reimbursement for their time.

This project is funded by the Medical Research Future Fund