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One study found that skipping meals may be linked to premature death.
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The researchers found that skipping breakfast is linked to an “increased risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease.”
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A dietician weighs in on the findings and limitations of the study.
We’ve heard for years that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But in reality, it could be even more important than previously thought, according to a study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dieteticswho examined the effects of skipping meals and the frequency of meals in relation to mortality and heart health.
The study, which was published in August of this year, sought to find out if eating behaviors such as meal frequency, meal skipping, and time between meals were associated with all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. .
The study consisted of 24,011 adults ages 40 and older who participated between 1999 and 2014. The researchers looked at various eating behaviors of the participants who reported their eating habits every 24 hours. Causes of death were tracked through death records up to December 31, 2015.
After examining the participants over the years, the researchers found that certain eating behaviors were linked to higher rates of premature death. Eating just one meal a day was associated with increased risk of CVD and all-cause mortality, while skipping breakfast was associated with increased risk of CVD mortality, and skipping lunch or dinner was associated with increased risk of mortality from all causes. Lastly, the study found that eating too often (less than four and a half hours apart) was also linked to premature death from all causes.
The study noted that according to a US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 40% of Americans skipped meals and at least one in five 20-74 year olds skipped breakfast or lunch, which reiterates the importance of the investigation.
So what does this mean for the average person? “At the end of the day, what matters is that an individual can meet her nutritional needs for optimal health,” he explains. Keri Gans, RDNAuthor The small change diet and podcast host The Keri Report. “If cutting out foods is missing out on important nutrients your body needs, that can be detrimental to your health in the long run,” leading to an “increased risk of certain cancers and heart disease,” he says.
While the study certainly has its limitations, Gans says that “breakfast is generally a good vehicle for nutrients associated with decreased cardiovascular risk, such as fiber and vitamins C, E, and D.” For example: “Oatmeal made with milk, topped with strawberries and almonds, would be an ideal breakfast to protect the heart. Other potential risks of skipping breakfast may include weight gain and osteoporosis; however, it is being investigated No conclusive,” he warns.
The researchers looked at similar potential reasons why skipping meals may lead to their findings, including unhealthy dietary and lifestyle habits, overeating, and eating higher-calorie foods.
While this study was large and comprehensive in many ways, there are also many limitations. It relied primarily on a 24-hour self-reported dietary recall, “which may not always be the best method for dietary assessment,” Gans explains. “Participants may not accurately remember what they ate or report it honestly, leading to potential misinformation.” The researchers noted that it was impossible to consider the role of sleep in the relationship between diet and mortality, as well as a number of other unmeasured factors (such as pre-existing conditions).
The bottom line is that while these findings on the relationships between meal skipping and mortality are important, there are many more factors involved in premature death. Consuming adequate nutrients, including those found in fruits and vegetables, is key to maintaining overall health and mitigating the risk of life-shortening diseases.
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