Effects of Meal Energy Density on Body Measures and Metabolism in Women

July 4, 2025 updated by: Melike Nur Eroğlu

Effects of Meal Energy Density on Anthropometric Measurements, Some Metabolic Parameters, And Subjective Appetite in Women

This study investigates whether the timing of energy intake during the day-specifically consuming more calories at breakfast or at dinner-affects body measurements, blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and feelings of hunger in women who are overweight or obese.

A total of 28 women participated in the study and were randomly assigned to one of two diet plans: one group consumed half of their daily calories at breakfast, while the other consumed them at dinner. Both groups followed a calorie-restricted diet for six weeks.

The goal of this research is to understand whether eating more in the morning rather than in the evening leads to better outcomes for weight control and metabolic health. Findings from this study may help health professionals make more effective meal timing recommendations for weight loss and improving blood sugar regulation.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

28

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Turkey
      • Sakarya, Turkey
        • Sakarya University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Exercise and Sports Sciences Education, Application and Research Centre

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Women aged 20-45
  • BMI ≥25 kg/m²
  • Regular menstrual cycle
  • No chronic disease or medication use
  • PSQI ≤5 (Good sleep quality)

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Pregnancy or lactation
  • Gastrointestinal or metabolic disorders
  • Shift workers, sleep disorders
  • Medication affecting metabolism
  • Weight change >4.5 kg in last 6 months

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Breakfast Group (BG)
Behavioral: Breakfast-Loaded Hypocaloric Diet
Participants in this group consumed a hypocaloric diet in which 50% of daily energy intake was provided at breakfast, 35% at lunch, and 15% at dinner. Meal times were standardized as follows: breakfast (7:00-9:00), lunch (12:00-14:00), and dinner (18:00-20:00). The diet was individually tailored and provided 20% fewer calories than the participants' total energy expenditure. Macronutrient distribution followed recommended guidelines: 45-60% carbohydrates, 10-20% protein, and 20-35% fat.
Experimental: Dinner Group (DG)
Behavioral: Dinner-Loaded Hypocaloric Diet
Participants in this group consumed a hypocaloric diet in which 15% of daily energy intake was provided at breakfast, 35% at lunch, and 50% at dinner. Meal times were standardized as follows: breakfast (7:00-9:00), lunch (12:00-14:00), and dinner (18:00-20:00). The diet was individually tailored and provided 20% fewer calories than the participants' total energy expenditure. Macronutrient distribution followed recommended guidelines: 45-60% carbohydrates, 10-20% protein, and 20-35% fat.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Change in fasting blood glucose
Time Frame: Baseline to Week 6
Baseline to Week 6

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Change in hip circumference
Time Frame: Baseline to Week 6
Baseline to Week 6
Change in HDL cholesterol
Time Frame: Baseline to Week 6
Baseline to Week 6
Change in HbA1c
Time Frame: Baseline to Week 6
Baseline to Week 6

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Melike Nur Eroğlu

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

November 15, 2023

Primary Completion (Actual)

March 20, 2024

Study Completion (Actual)

March 25, 2024

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 15, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 4, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

July 15, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

July 15, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 4, 2025

Last Verified

July 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • BASKENT-MEALTIME-2023

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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