Scientists from Ningxia Medical University (China) found that regularly skipping breakfast is associated with an increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome. This complex disorder includes obesity, hypertension, high blood sugar and cholesterol. The results of the study were published in the journal Nutrients.
The study included data from nine studies involving tens of thousands of people. The analysis showed that skipping the morning meal was associated with a 10-26% increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome. The strongest association was found with abdominal obesity (abdominal and visceral fat accumulation) and excess blood glucose.
The study authors suggest that eating regularly in the morning may be associated with a more stable metabolism. Previous studies have shown that eating breakfast helps control eating behavior during the day and reduces cravings for foods high in salt, sugar, fat and carbohydrates.
The researchers emphasize that their results are based on observational data and do not prove a causal relationship. However, they note that skipping breakfast can affect glucose, insulin and other metabolic regulation, which in the long run is associated with cardiovascular and endocrine risk factors.
