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Role of Diet in Cancer Prevention and Control (Oral Session 16)

(OR16-04-25) Feasibility of a Remote Time-Restricted Eating and Mindfulness on Risk Factors Associated with Early Onset Colorectal Cancer in Young Adults: A Randomized Pilot Trial

Monday, June 2, 2025
4:36 PM – 4:48 PM ET
Location: S230 CD
Objectives: Increased adiposity and chronic psychosocial stress (CPS) are under investigation as drivers of the recent uptick in early onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) in the United States and other Westernized countries.

Methods: We conducted an 8-week randomized controlled parallel arm pilot trial evaluating time restricted eating (TRE) (ad libitum eating between 12-8pm) and Mindfulness (“Mindfulness for Beginners” in the Calm.com® app) among young adults with obesity and CPS to evaluate its feasibility and acceptability. Young adults (18-39 years old) with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 and ≤ 49.9 kg/m2) and a Perceived Stress Scale score (PSS) ≥14 indicating moderate to severe perceived stress were randomized to the following: TRE; Mindfulness; TRE & Mindfulness; or Control. The focus of study was on feasibility and acceptability, but we also explored changes in body weight, body composition; circulating metabolic, inflammation, and oxidative stress biomarkers; and intestinal inflammation.

Results: Forty-three participants completed the baseline data collection and were randomized. Participants were enrolled within a short period (10 months) and attrition rates were low (7%). Participants completed between 90-94% of weekly intervention sessions across all study arms. Participants in the TRE group lost a mean of -0.85 (SD 5.58) lbs; Mindfulness group lost a mean of -4.62 (SD 10.19) lbs; TRE & Mindfulness group lost a mean of -4.21 (SD 7.49) lbs; and Control group lost a mean of -0.20 (SD 3.53) lbs. PSS scores decreased significantly within all arms except for Control. The TRE & Mindfulness group showed superior improvements in PSS, visceral fat mass, fasting insulin, fasting glucose, HOMA-IR, hemoglobin a1C, and fecal calprotectin. No significant changes were found within or between group for total fat mass, visceral fat mass; circulating biomarkers; or intestinal inflammation.

Conclusions: This study was feasible and well accepted by the participants. Results were promising, indicating a potential synergy between TRE & Mindfulness for improving anthropometric, metabolic and colonic inflammation among young adults with obesity and moderate to severe perceived stress compared to either intervention alone.

Funding Sources: NIH T32CA057699; U54 CA202997