Breakfast is considered to be the most important meal of the day. Yet, many people still skip it without considering its health consequences. For one, skipping breakfast may increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. This risk increases as you continue to skip breakfast, according to a review recently published in The Journal of Nutrition.

For the review, a team of researchers from Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf in Germany sought to determine the association between skipping breakfast and risk of Type 2 diabetes by taking into account the influence of body mass index (BMI). The research team gathered six observational studies that included a total of 96,175 participants. Of these, 4,935 people developed diabetes.

The research team found that the risk of diabetes increased for each day of the week that a person skipped breakfast. Missing breakfast once a week was associated with a six percent increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The number skyrocketed from there, with those who skipped breakfast four to five days a week having a 55 percent increased risk for Type 2 diabetes. Overall, those who skipped breakfast were 32 percent more likely to develop the disease compared to those who never skipped breakfast. Furthermore, when the researchers considered the participants’ BMI, the results were the same; this indicates that anyone who skipped breakfast, regardless of their weight, still had a greater chance of developing diabetes.

In addition, the research team noted that the increased diabetes risk in breakfast skippers may be associated with other unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. They found that those who skip breakfast tend to smoke, be less physically active, and drink more alcohol. (Related: Skipped breakfast? New study suggests that snacking on almonds is a good way to compensate.)

More reasons not to skip breakfast

In addition to increasing diabetes risk, skipping breakfast can:

• Increase your heart disease risk: Missing out on the morning meal is associated with various factors that contribute to heart disease, especially in children. It can raise the risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome, high cholesterol levels, and elevated triglycerides. In a study published in the journal Circulation, researchers followed more than 20,000 men for 16 years. They discovered that those who missed out breakfast were at a 27 percent higher risk of developing coronary heart disease.
• Result in weight gain: A large study that included thousands of children and teenagers revealed that those who skipped breakfast had higher BMIs and waist circumferences compared to those who ate always ate breakfast. Rates of obesity were also higher among those who skipped breakfast. In another study, researchers found that individuals who ate a large percentage of their energy intake during breakfast exhibited lower weights and improved insulin response than those who consumed most of their energy later in the day.
• Damage cognitive function in children: Various studies have shown that children who always eat breakfast have higher IQs, as well as better behavior, and better academic performance in school than those who occasionally eat breakfast.
• Weaken your bones: Eating breakfast can help keep the bones strong, whereas skipping can greatly contribute to bone mineral density loss.

Read more news stories and studies on how to prevent diabetes with food by going to PreventDiabetes.news.

Sources include:

EverydayHealth.com

UniversityHealthNews.com