Circadian Misalignment and Energy Balance (NCT03663530)
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
Preliminary findings from the investigators' lab suggest that circadian misalignment, occurring when meals and sleep are mistimed from one another, alters resting state neuronal processing in areas relevant to food reward and interoception; supporting a role of sleep and meal misalignment, on energy balance regulation. No study has been done to disentangle the effects of sleep and meal timing on body weight regulation, independent of sleep duration. This study will provide information to guide messaging related to timing of meals and sleep that can be translated to individuals whose sleep follows unconventional times, such as shift workers and those with jetlag and social jetlag.
Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (5 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (23 items).
Location: Columbia University Irving Medical Center — New York, New York
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistCheck every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).
Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:
- Exclusion Criteria:
- \<10 nights of sleep \<7 hour during the 2-week screening period
- Daytime napping
- Current or past sleep disorder (Sleep Disorders Inventory); Insomnia Severity Index Score \>10
- Current or past psychiatric disorder, including eating disorders and seasonal affective disorder
- Any psychological or psychiatric disorder deemed to interfere with study outcomes
- Smoking (currently smoking any cigarettes or using tobacco products, e-cigarettes and vapes, or ex-smokers \<3 years)
- Night and rotating shift work
- Travel across time zones within 4 wk of the study
- History of drug or alcohol abuse or excessive alcohol consumption (\>3 drinks/day for men or 2 for women)
- Recent weight change (\>5% gain or loss of body weight over past 3 months) or active participation in diet or weight loss program in previous 3 months; any weight loss procedure
- Pregnancy or \<1 year post-partum
🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center — New York, New York
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.