A new long-term study has found that older adults who delay breakfast may face increased health risks and a slightly lower chance of surviving the next decade. The research, involving 3,000 adults and spanning an average of 22 years, was conducted by scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital and Mass General Brigham.
Participants typically ate breakfast around 8:20am, but those who delayed it closer to 9am or later were more likely to experience issues such as fatigue, depression, and poor oral health. The study observed that over time, individuals tended to shift both breakfast and dinner to later in the day, compressing their overall eating window.
Lead author Dr Hassan Dashti highlighted the potential of breakfast timing as a simple, observable indicator of an older person’s general health. He suggested that maintaining consistent meal schedules could be a valuable part of broader strategies to support healthy ageing and longevity.
The findings are particularly relevant in the context of the growing popularity of intermittent fasting, a practice that often involves delaying breakfast to extend fasting periods. While the study is observational and does not establish a causal relationship, it does suggest a link between later meal timing and increased health challenges in older adults.
Researchers also noted that individuals with a genetic predisposition to being ‘night owls’—those who naturally wake and sleep later—were more likely to eat their meals later, which may further influence their health outcomes.
While the study stops short of proving that late breakfasts cause health problems or early death, it raises important considerations for older adults and healthcare professionals alike. Encouraging earlier and regular meal times could potentially contribute to improved wellbeing and longer life expectancy.
