Randomised controlled trialindependent cross-checkabstract only checked I-FAST-04 standard review
16:8 fasting without calorie targets
Effects of Time-Restricted Eating on Weight Loss and Other Metabolic Parameters in Women and Men With Overweight and Obesity: The TREAT Randomized Clinical Trial.
Overview
Lowe DA et al.. JAMA Intern Med 2020 · PMID 32986097 · DOI 10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.4153
No more weight loss than three meals a day, and slightly more muscle-related lean mass loss.
Does the study support the specific claim? No · Methodological quality: moderate
Plain-language summary
Study explained simply
- What did the researchers want to find out?
Effect of 16:8 TRE on weight and metabolic markers
- How was the study done?
RCT, 12 weeks, app-based (TREAT)
- How many people, animals or samples were studied?
116; Adults with BMI 27-43
- What was actually found?
Null on weight.
- How large was the observed effect?
-0.26 kg (n.s.)
- What do the results mean in everyday life?
Timing alone does little.
- What are the study's limitations?
Short; Self-reported adherence
- What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?
- Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?
US.
- What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?
Long-term effects.
Scientific in-depth review
1. Full reference
- Authors
- Lowe DA et al.
- Journal
- JAMA Intern Med
- Year
- 2020
- Identifier
- PMID 32986097 DOI 10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.4153
- Verification
- verified – PubMed efetch 2026-10-25 (this agent)
- Retracted
- no
- Corrections
ErratumIn: JAMA Intern Med. 2020 Nov 1;180(11):1555. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.6728.; ErratumIn: JAMA Intern Med. 2021 Jun 1;181(6):883. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.8941.
- Extent checked
- abstract only
- Conflicts of interest and funding
NIH and other funding; corrections issued (see verification).
2. Research question
Effect of 16:8 TRE on weight and metabolic markers
3. Study design and population
- Study design
- Randomised controlled trial – RCT, 12 weeks, app-based (TREAT)
- Population
Adults with BMI 27-43
- Country
USA
- Period
12 weeks
- Sample size
116
- Inclusion and exclusion criteria
As described in the abstract; details not available in abstract.
4. Methods and endpoints
- Exposure / intervention
16:8 time-restricted eating
- Comparator
Three structured meals per day
- Endpoints
Weight; secondary metabolic markers
- Statistical methods
Mixed models
5. Actual results
- Results
TRE -0.94 kg within group; between groups -0.26 kg (P=0.63); in-person cohort: appendicular lean mass index decreased more with TRE (-0.16 kg/m2); no other differences.
- Absolute risks
not reported
- Authors' conclusion
TRE alone is not more effective for weight loss than eating throughout the day.
6. Strengths
- Randomised
7. Weaknesses
- Short
- Self-reported adherence
8. Risk of bias
- Orienting tool
- RoB 2
- Type of assessment
- simplified assessment (abstract only)
- Full formal assessment
- no
- Overall risk of bias
- some concerns
- Rationale
Remote trial.
9. Assessment of the statistical interpretation
Null.
10. Relevance to the specific claim
Limits C-FAST-05; lean mass loss relevant to C-FAST-08.
11. Independent contrary findings
12. Transferability to Germany and Europe
US.
13. Overall methodological judgement
No benefit of TRE alone.
| Multidimensional assessment | |
|---|---|
| Authenticity of the source | verified |
| Methodological quality | moderate |
| Risk of bias | some concerns |
| Precision of results | low |
| Directness | direct |
| Reproducibility | replicated |
| Consistency with the overall evidence | consistent |
| Regional transferability | high |
| Adequacy of the interpretation (by the archive) | not applicable |
14. Open questions
None beyond those stated.
15. Linked fact checks
- Fasting gives the liver and gut the chance to repair themselves and expel toxins; intermittent fasting is the only treatment for fatty liver and treats joint pain, autoimmune and allergy-like symptoms. – Studies contradicting or limiting the claim
- Long daily intermittent fasting with one meal a day as the default eating pattern (and sometimes eating once every two days) is the healthy way to eat. – Studies contradicting or limiting the claim