The ‘Hunger Games’: Understanding the Mental Battles of Intermittent Fasting
Type of research: quantitative or qualitative
Research assignment
Intermittent fasting (IF) is an eating pattern that alternates between periods of fasting and eating. It has gained popularity due to its potential health benefits, including weight loss, improved metabolic health, and enhanced longevity. Common approaches to IF include time-restricted eating (e.g., fasting for 12 hours daily) and alternate-day fasting (e.g., fasting on non-working days). Despite its advantages, adhering to this eating pattern can be challenging, as it often conflicts with social, emotional, and behavioral factors. Understanding the psychosocial determinants of starting and sustaining IF is crucial to supporting individuals in maintaining this dietary practice.
The objective of this study is to explore the psychosocial factors that motivate individuals to start IF and the barriers that make adherence difficult. The study can be conducted using either qualitative or quantitative methods. The qualitative approach will have a focus on gaining an in-depth understanding of personal experiences and motivation towards (starting) IF. The quantitative approach focuses on measuring psychosocial factors and their relationship with IF behaviors. E.g. What is the impact of attitude/ self-efficacy / social support on adherence to IM?
Understanding the psychosocial determinants of IF will provide valuable insights into why people adopt and sustain this eating pattern. The findings could inform the development of tailored interventions that help individuals integrate intermittent fasting into their lives successfully.
Who do we look for?
Students interested in Intermittent fasting and who are eager to collaborate in a team setting to explore this topic.
References
- Hilmi S. Rathomi, Nahal Mavaddat, Judith M. Katzenellenbogen, Sandra C. Thompson. “It just made sense to me!” A Qualitative Exploration of Individual Motivation for Time-Restricted Eating. Appetite, Volume 204, 2025, 107751,ISSN 0195-6663, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2024.107751