Breakfast has long been touted as the most important meal of the day, yet recent research questions whether it is truly essential for weight control and overall health. A 2019 systematic review in The BMJ pooled 13 randomised trials comparing breakfast eaters with skippers and found that those who skipped breakfast consumed fewer calories and lost an average of 0.44 kg, a difference that the authors cautioned was modest and based on short‑term studies.
In 2023, another review reached a similar weight conclusion—skipping breakfast led to a 0.66 kg reduction—but added a concerning finding: LDL cholesterol rose by about 9.9 mg/dL. Higher LDL is linked to cardiovascular disease, suggesting that a small weight loss may come at a cardiovascular cost.
Conversely, a 2020 meta‑analysis of 45 observational studies reported that people who ate breakfast less frequently were 44 % more likely to be overweight or obese, and a 2021 review found an 11 % higher risk of weight gain when breakfast was skipped on three or more days per week. These studies highlight that the relationship between breakfast and body weight is complex and not merely a matter of skipping one meal.
Beyond weight, large observational analyses have linked breakfast skipping to increased risks of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. A 2025 meta‑analysis of over 2.3 million participants associated breakfast skipping with a 17 % higher risk of cardiovascular events, while a 2024 review of 240,000 adults found higher all‑cause and cardiovascular mortality among skippers. The authors noted low certainty and inconsistency, yet the associations remain noteworthy.
Experts stress that the context matters. Deliberate, well‑planned intermittent fasting can differ from habitually missing breakfast due to a busy schedule or limited food access. Skipping breakfast without compensating later may reduce calorie intake, but it can also lead to increased hunger, poorer food choices, and higher cholesterol.
Given the mixed evidence, health professionals advise caution before recommending routine breakfast skipping for the general population. Individuals considering this approach should weigh the modest weight benefits against potential cardiovascular risks and monitor their overall diet and lifestyle.
