“It just made sense to me!” A Qualitative Exploration of Individual Motivation for Time-Restricted Eating

Abstract

Time-Restricted Eating (TRE), a form of intermittent fasting, has gained popularity for weight control and metabolic health. It is not incorporated into dietary and clinical guidelines, and hence is generally not being recommended to the public. This qualitative study explores how individuals have discovered TRE as a form of dietary practice and their motivations for practising it. Using purposive and snowball sampling, we recruited 21 participants who had engaged in TRE for at least 3 months (range 3 months to over 5 years). In-depth interviews were conducted with an interview guide developed based on the Health Belief Model. We utilised an inductive coding process and thematic analysis to identify the factors motivating TRE adoption. Seven main themes emerged: (1) dissatisfaction and resistance to prior or traditional approaches, (2) perceived broader health benefits, (3) principles of TRE deemed logical, (4) low to no cost of adoption, (5) manageable psychosocial barriers, (6) being non-restrictive and easy to use, and (7) compatibility with personal lifestyle. This study provided insights into early phase of TRE adoption among individuals in real world settings. Future research should explore health practitioners' perspectives on TRE to better understand the acceptability and potential use of TRE as a weight management approach.