Why is this study being done?
This research is being done to study how eating dinner at different times affects your health. The timing of meals may be important for weight control and metabolism. Some studies suggest that eating late at night is linked with risks of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, but these studies do not account for differences in people’s internal clocks, which we call circadian rhythm. We suspect that eating a late dinner after a person’s biological night, based on their body’s internal circadian clock, will cause problems like higher fat and sugar levels in the blood.
As the body’s internal clock might differ from person to person, the definition of “early” versus “late” dinner for everyone may also be different. For example, dinner at 8:00 PM might be “late” for one person, but “early” for another person, and lead to different health consequences.
Who can join this study?
Men and premenopausal women who are normal weight and healthy and are between the ages of 18-50 may join the study. Men and premenopausal women who have prediabetes and obesity and are between the ages of 18-50 may join the study.
How many study visits will there be?
The study includes four visits total:
- Visit 1: 1 day-time screening visit (Johns Hopkins);
- Visit 2: 1 overnight visit (Johns Hopkins);
- Visits 3&4: 2 overnight metabolic visits, requiring two consecutive overnight stays each time in a specialized metabolic room (NIH)
Dinner Time for Obesity and Prediabetes 