Core Tip: Research has found that people who often skip breakfast are prone to obesity, manifested by abdominal fat accumulation and elevated cholesterol, which are all risk factors for heart disease.
According to a recent issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, skipping breakfast frequently can increase the risk of developing heart disease.
Researchers from the University of Tasmania in Australia conducted a long-term follow-up study of 2,184 volunteers for over 20 years. They found that people who often skip breakfast are prone to obesity, manifested by abdominal fat accumulation and elevated cholesterol. These are all risk factors for heart disease. Additionally, people who skip breakfast have higher insulin levels, which can lead to diabetes over time.
This study indicates that those who disliked breakfast since childhood and continue this bad habit into adulthood show a tendency to develop heart disease around the age of 30. Scientists have analyzed several reasons for this phenomenon.
First, people who skip breakfast tend to eat unhealthy foods and lack exercise. They have low intake of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Secondly, there is evidence that skipping breakfast changes the way fat is stored, making it more likely to accumulate in the abdomen. Finally, people who skip breakfast have very irregular meal times, which is a typical sign of a disorganized lifestyle. This study is the first to reveal the harm caused by skipping breakfast on heart health.