Researchers at The University of Western Australia are looking for participants for a study examining the outcomes of time-restricted eating.
"We want to explore the acceptability of time-restricted eating from different perspectives to determine whether this approach could be adopted by people who struggle with obesity."
Professor Sandra Thompson, UWA School of Allied Health
Professor Sandra Thompson, from UWA's School of Allied Health and the Western Australian Centre for Rural Health, said time-restricted eating involved limiting the hours one eats and had been shown to have potential benefits for weight loss, improve blood sugar regulation and other metabolic markers.
"We want to explore the acceptability of time-restricted eating from different perspectives to determine whether this approach could be adopted by people who struggle with obesity," Professor Thompson said.
"We want to know the experience of patients as we still don't know who this strategy will suit, who will struggle and who may need extra help or would benefit from other approaches."
Researchers are seeking participants who regularly practise time-restricted eating such as intermittent fasting or the 'One Meal a Day' diet, which claims to help you lose weight by forcing your body to burn fat.
Dr Hilmi Rathomi, from UWA's School of Population and Global Health, said obesity and being overweight were major health concerns affecting more than two billion people worldwide and finding a practical and effective way to treat this was a challenge.
"We already have some participants on board and are now looking for more men and those of a younger age to share their experiences," Dr Rathomi said
"Any residents of Western Australia who have been practising time-restricted eating for at least three months are eligible to participate."
The study that aims to explore the personal and family experience of time-restricted eaters including its impact on health and daily routines – all data is kept confidential.
Participants will be asked to take part in a 30-to-60 minute online interview which will cover topics such as their weight control journey, reasons for using time-restricted eating, barriers and facilitators and the impact on their health and social life.
