Exploring Motivations and Barriers to Intermittent Fasting (IF) Among Adults Living in Saudi Arabia: A Quantitative Study
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Date
2025
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Publisher
Saudi Digital Library
Abstract
Intermittent fasting (IF) has gained global recognition as an effective dietary intervention for weight management and metabolic health improvement. However, understanding of motivations and barriers to IF adoption remains limited, particularly within specific cultural contexts. Saudi Arabia presents a unique setting due to widespread Ramadan fasting practices and rising obesity rates (23.1% obesity, 45.1% overweight), making investigation of IF motivations and barriers culturally and clinically relevant.
Description
The research examines the motivations and barriers shaping intermittent fasting (IF) adoption among adults in Saudi Arabia, a setting where cultural fasting traditions and increasing obesity rates create a unique public health context. Although IF has gained global recognition for its potential benefits in weight management and metabolic health, limited research has explored the reasons individuals choose to adopt or discontinue IF within culturally specific settings. Understanding these factors in Saudi Arabia provides valuable insight into how cultural norms, lifestyle patterns, and health perceptions influence dietary behaviours and engagement with IF practices.
Keywords
Intermittent fasting (IF) Time-restricted eating (TRE) Continuous energy restriction (CER) Alternate day fasting (ADF) Whole day fasting (WDF)