Written by Margaret (Maggie) Prosser, BS, CPT

Breakfast is commonly touted as the most important meal of the day, but what do dietitians, health professionals, and the research have to say about that? Previous reviews have found inconsistent data in research settings. The aim of this systematic review is to compare eating breakfast versus skipping breakfast and its role in weight loss in overweight or obese adults 18 to 65.

Background

Only about one-third of American eat breakfast every morning.
The prevalence of overweight and obese adults has reached alarming levels worldwide, presenting significant challenges to public health. Another 30.7% of the adult population is overweight. About 42.4% of adults in the United States have obesity, which is 2 in 5 of all adults.
These numbers continue to rise, contributing to an increased burden of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.
Breakfast or morning fasting, both, have not been proven to directly impact weight loss in overweight and obese individuals.
Of the five articles found to meet the inclusion criteria, none found a directly relationship between the impact of eating OR skipping breakfast with weight loss in this population.
Secondary measures in the articles seemed to find more promising outcomes. Researchers seem to agree eating breakfast may have an indirect impact on weight loss. A secondary effect of breakfast was decreased calorie consumption during later hours of the day.
The impact of breakfast on weight loss in overweight and obese adults is a multifaceted and complex issue that warrants further investigation.
With an indirect relationship to weight loss, there is potential this population would benefit from routine dietary patterns for weight management. Habitual breakfast sets your tone for the day and could decrease overeating later in the day.
Breakfast skippers are more likely to be physically inactive and have a lower quality of sleep.
Breakfast skippers are also more likely to have macro- or micro-nutrient deficiencies along with increased added sugars throughout the day.
Encouraging individuals to adopt consistent eating patterns could contribute to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

Final Thoughts

By understanding the complexity of this topic, registered dietitians can better tailor dietary recommendations and interventions to support individuals in achieving their weight loss goals and improving overall health outcomes.

This blog has been adapted from a systematic review conducted my Margaret Prosser for her Capstone Final Project at Texas Christian University.

References

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Wicherski J, Schlesinger S, Fischer Florian. Association between breakfast skipping and body weight-A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational longitudinal studies. Nutrients. 2021;13(272). doi: 10.3390/nu13010272

Sievert K et al. Effect of breakfast on weight and energy intake: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ. 2019;364(162). doi: 10.1136/bmj.l42

Overweight & obesity statistics. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Published September 1, 2021. Accessed April 6, 2024. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/overweight-obesity#:~:text=the%20above%20table-,Nearly%201%20in%203%20adults%20(30.7%25)%20are%20overweight.,9.2%25)%20have%20severe%20obesity.

Quatela A, Callister R, Patterson A, MacDonald-Wicks L. The energy content and composition of meals consumed after an overnight fast and their effects on diet induced thermogenesis: A systematic review, meta-analyses and meta-regressions. Nutrients. 2016;8:670. Doi: 10.3390/nu8110670

Chowdhury EA, Richardson JD, Holman GD, Tsintzas K, Thompson D, Betts JA. The causal role of breakfast in energy balance and health: A randomized controlled trial in obese adults. Am J Clin Nutr. 2016;103(3):747-756. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.115.122044

Geliebter A, Astbury NM, Aviram-Friedman R, Yahav E, Hashim S. Skipping breakfast leads to weight loss but also elevated cholesterol compared with consuming daily breakfasts of oat porridge or frosted cornflakes in overweight individuals: a randomized controlled trial. J Nutr Sci. 2014;3. doi:10.1017/jns.2014.51

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Thomas EA, Higgins J, Bessesen DH, McNair B, Cornier MA. Usual breakfast eating habits affect response to breakfast skipping in overweight women. Obesity. 2015;23(4):750-759. doi:10.1002/oby.21049

Welton S, Minty R, O'Driscoll T, et al. Intermittent fasting and weight loss: Systematic review. Can Fam Physician. 2020;66(2):117-125.