Exploring the Motivational Components in Individuals with a Healthy Eating Lifestyle

Abstract

This study aimed to identify and analyze the motivational components that contribute to the maintenance of a healthy eating lifestyle among adults in Tehran. This qualitative research employed a thematic analysis approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 19 purposively selected adult participants who had followed a healthy eating lifestyle for at least two years. Interviews continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. The data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using NVivo 12 software through a four-step process: initial coding, categorization, theme extraction, and refinement. Analysis yielded three main themes: intrinsic motivations (personal satisfaction, personal growth, health value orientation, enjoyment of healthy eating), interpersonal and social motivations (modeling others, social approval, family responsibility, online engagement, peer support), and external and environmental motivations (illness experience, reliable information access, supportive environments, public policies, economic considerations). Participants described their lived experiences using concepts such as body control, social belonging, meaning-making, and reduced health anxiety. The findings suggest that sustaining a healthy eating lifestyle is influenced by a complex network of multi-level motivations, ranging from individual psychological factors to broader environmental and social contexts. Understanding these motivational components can inform the development of effective and targeted health-promotion interventions.