Researchers from The University of Western Australia have examined why a type of intermittent fasting has gained popularity for health and weight management, despite limited formal guidance from healthcare providers.
Dr Hilmi Rathomi, from UWA's School of Population and Global Health, was lead author of the study published in Appetite.
The study explored the experiences of 21 adults in Western Australia who had practised time-restricted eating, a dietary approach that limits eating to a specific window of time during daylight hours, such as 10am to 6pm, while fasting for the rest of the day.
"Despite limited formal guidance from healthcare providers, the practice has gained traction as a manageable, low-cost option for weight management and improved health," Dr Rathomi said.
"We wanted to understand why individuals are drawn to it even in the absence of widespread medical endorsement.
"By uncovering the reasons people find it practical, we hoped to provide insights that could support healthcare providers in understand patients' preferences and inform public health guidelines."
The study found people adopted time-restricted eating due to dissatisfaction with traditional weight loss methods, perceived broader health benefits, ease of integrating it into daily life and low cost.
"Participants said it made sense logically, was easier to sustain compared to restrictive diets, fitted well into their lifestyle and allowed for flexibility in food choices within the eating window, and didn't require expensive meal plans," Dr Rathomi said.
Most participants discovered time-restricted eating through online resources, including social media and books, rather than from healthcare professionals, highlighting the growing role of digital platforms in shaping dietary choices.
Co-author Professor Sandra Thompson, Director of the Western Australian Centre for Rural Health, said time-restricted eating had potential as an acceptable and sustainable option for some people to help them manage their weight and improve health.
"We were surprised to find participants who have been practising it for more than five years had been doing so, not primarily for weight loss, but for broader health benefits," Professor Thompson said.
"Understanding what makes it appealing can help clinicians offer supportive guidance to patients interested in weight management in a simple and affordable way."
The study found a need for more research on its long-term impacts and suitability for broader public health recommendations.
