Navigating challenges and adherence in time-restricted eating: A qualitative study

Adherence to any dietary approach is crucial for achieving long-term benefits. This qualitative study aims to explore the facilitators and barriers to adherence, and how individuals in community settings navigate time-restricted eating in their daily lives.

Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 21 participants who had practised time-restricted eating (confining the daily eating window to <10h a day; and excluding periodic fasting methods like the 5:2 approach or alternate day fasting) for periods ranging from 3 months to more than 5 years. A qualitative content analysis, underpinned by the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behaviour Model, identified multiple facilitators, barriers, and strategies that evolved over the practice.

Key facilitators included the simplicity and versatility of time-restricted eating, maintaining a non-obsessive and non-dieting mindset, and having a supportive environment. Barriers included hunger and food cravings, an obsessive mindset during the initial stages, and conflicting schedules with social eating occasions, including holidays. Participants employed several coping strategies to successfully navigate adherence and reported confidence in maintaining time-restricted eating as a lifestyle that contributes to better health and weight management.

Our findings suggest that successful implementation of time-restricted eating in community settings requires flexibility and viewing it as more than a short-term weight loss tool. Guidelines are needed to help individuals and practitioners implement better practices and promote healthier behaviours.