Early Eaters Are More Likely To Lose Weight Than Late Eaters

Timing is everything when it comes to eating and weight loss, according to a study by U.S. and Spanish researchers. The study followed 420 overweight people in Spain who ate their main meals either early or late each day over 20 weeks. One group comprised early eaters (before 3 p.m.) and the other were late eaters (after 3 p.m.). The researchers found that late-eaters lost significantly less weight than early-eaters, and displayed a much slower rate of weight-loss. Late-eaters also had a lower estimated insulin sensitivity, a risk factor for diabetes. The researchers suggested that therapeutic strategies for weight loss should monitor not only caloric intake but also the timing of meals.