Skipping breakfast could affect the body’s ability to lose weight, researchers have found.
A team from Vanderbilt University in the U.S. has discovered that it’s not just how many calories are consumed, but when they are eaten that determines how much weight a person can lose.
Experts monitored the metabolism of middle-aged and older subjects in a whole-room respiratory chamber over two separate 56-hour sessions, with lunch delivered at 12.30pm, and dinner presented at 5.45pm.
However, the third meal of the day was given at different times. In one of the sessions, it was offered as breakfast at 8.00am, while in the other 56-hour session, it was given to the same participants but as an evening snack at 10.00pm.
Accordingly, the researchers found that while results from the two sessions showed no effect on participants’ activity levels, or food eaten, the timing of the third meal had a big impact on the amount of fat burned.
Those who ate breakfast burned more fat than those who skipped it and snacked late at night instead.
Study authors Kevin Kelly, Owen McGuinness, and Carl Johnson said the difference in fat burning was due to the body clock, which is programmed to burn fat when people are asleep.
The trio said their research has “important implications” for eating habits and suggested a daily fast between the evening meal and breakfast will optimise weight management and help to burn fat efficiently.
