Issue 11, 2024

Breakfast skipping and risk of all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality among adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies

Abstract

Background: Numerous studies reported inconsistent association between breakfast skipping and all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer mortality. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to elucidate these associations. Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched up to July 2023 for prospective cohort studies that assessed the association between breakfast skipping and all-cause, CVD and cancer mortality in general adults. A random effect model was used to estimate the pooled hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), with subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis performed. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess the study and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) tool was used to assess the risk of bias. Results: The final analysis included 9 cohort studies including 242 095 participants, with 6 studies for all-cause mortality, 4 studies for CVD mortality, and 2 studies for cancer mortality. Compared to regular breakfast consumption, skipping breakfast was associated with a higher risk of all-cause (HR: 1.27, 95% CI, 1.07–1.51, I2 = 77%), CVD (HR 1.28, 95% CI 1.10–1.50, I2 = 0), and cancer (HR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.11–1.61, I2 = 0%) mortality. Sensitivity analysis revealed inconsistent results in all-cause and CVD mortality. Subgroup analysis showed significant association in studies with larger participants, longer follow-up, adjustments for energy intake, and high-quality articles. GRADE showed very low evidence for all-cause mortality and low evidence for CVD and cancer mortality. Conclusion: The findings underscore the importance of regular breakfast habits for health and longevity. However, these results require careful interpretation due to geographic limitations, potential heterogeneity, and instability.

Graphical abstract: Breakfast skipping and risk of all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality among adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
25 Dis 2023
Accepted
26 Mas 2024
First published
13 Mey 2024

Food Funct., 2024,15, 5703-5713

Breakfast skipping and risk of all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality among adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies

Y. Wang, F. Li, X. Li, J. Wu, X. Chen, Y. Su, T. Qin, X. Liu, L. Liang, J. Ma and P. Qin, Food Funct., 2024, 15, 5703 DOI: 10.1039/D3FO05705D

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