Time-restricted eating may induce small reductions in BMI, body fat percentage, and fat mass in resistance-trained individuals, but given the limited number, small sample sizes, and short duration of available RCTs, these findings should be interpreted with caution.
Key Findings
Results
TRE showed no significant effect on body mass in resistance-trained individuals.
Pooled mean difference for body mass was -1.82 kg (95% CI: -3.66 to 0.01)
Result was not statistically significant
Moderate heterogeneity was observed (I² = 52.4%)
Eight RCTs were included in the analysis
Results
TRE showed no significant effect on fat-free mass in resistance-trained individuals.
Pooled mean difference for fat-free mass was 0.27 kg (95% CI: -0.80 to 1.34)
Result was not statistically significant
Low-to-moderate heterogeneity was observed (I² = 47.1%)
The positive direction of the mean difference suggests a non-significant trend toward preservation or slight gain in fat-free mass
Results
TRE produced a statistically significant reduction in BMI in resistance-trained individuals.
Pooled mean difference for BMI was -0.75 kg/m² (95% CI: -1.42 to -0.08)
The result was statistically significant
Considerable heterogeneity was observed (I² = 69.8%)
Eight RCTs with eating windows of 8 to 10 hours were included
Results
TRE produced a statistically significant reduction in body fat percentage in resistance-trained individuals.
Pooled mean difference for body fat percentage was -1.57% (95% CI: -3.12 to -0.01)
The result was statistically significant
No heterogeneity was observed (I² = 0%)
The low heterogeneity suggests consistency across included studies for this outcome
Results
TRE produced a statistically significant reduction in fat mass in resistance-trained individuals.
Pooled mean difference for fat mass was -1.25 kg (95% CI: -1.95 to -0.54)
The result was statistically significant
No heterogeneity was observed (I² = 0%)
The low heterogeneity suggests consistency across included studies for this outcome
Methods
Eight RCTs were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis, all implementing TRE protocols with eating windows of 8 to 10 hours.
Studies were identified through five databases up to October 2025
Eligible studies included adults performing resistance training compared with a habitual diet
Outcomes reported included body mass, BMI, fat mass, fat-free mass, and body fat percentage
Risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2 and certainty of evidence was evaluated with the GRADE approach
All included studies were randomized controlled trials
Ali A, Messenburger G, Neves Collares L, Nuñez F, Pieniz S. (2026). Time-restricted eating shows a modest reduction in fat mass in resistance-trained individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysis.. Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2026.01.001