Habitually skipping breakfast is associated with chronic inflammation: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: We examined whether breakfast frequency was associated with chronic inflammatory, as assessed by high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Kailuan community, China. Participants: Included were 70 092 Chinese adults without CVD and cancer in 2014 with CRP concentrations <10 mg/l, when breakfast frequency was assessed via a questionnaire, and plasma CRP concentration was measured. Results: Breakfast frequency was associated with CRP concentration (P-trend < 0·001). The adjusted mean CRP was 1·33 mg/l (95 % CI 1·23, 1·44) for the ‘no breakfast’ group and 1·07 mg/l (95 % CI 1·0, 1·14) for the ‘breakfast everyday’ group (P-difference < 0·001), adjusting for age, sex, diet quality, total energy, obesity, education, occupation, marital status, smoking, alcohol consumption, blood pressure, sleep parameters, fasting blood glucose and lipid profiles. Consistently, the adjusted OR for CRP ≥ 1·0 mg/l and CRP ≥ 3·0 mg/l were 1·86 (95 % CI 1·73, 2·00) and 1·27 (95 % CI 1·15, 1·40), respectively, when comparing these two breakfast consumption groups (P-trend < 0·001 for both). The associations were more pronounced among older adults, relative to those who were younger (P-interaction < 0·001). Significant association between breakfast skipping and elevated CRP concentration was observed in those with poor diet quality, but not those with good diet quality. Conclusions: Habitually skipping breakfast was associated with elevated concentrations of CRP. Future prospective studies including repeated assessment of inflammatory biomarkers and a collection of detailed information on type and amount of breakfast foods are warranted.

Associations between Fasting Duration, Timing of First and Last Meal, and Cardiometabolic Endpoints in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

“…The phenomenon of a later time of first meal consumption may be analogous to breakfast skipping. Compared to always eating breakfast, those never eating breakfast had an increased odds of having a CRP value above 3.0 mg/L of 1.27 (95%CI = 1.15–1.40) [ 55 ]. In a review including 105 peer-reviewed publications, it was concluded that regular breakfast consumption, compared to regularly skipping, improved carbohydrate metabolism and reduced T2DM risk [ 56 ].…”

Serum FGF21 levels are altered by various factors including lifestyle behaviors in male subjects

“…Breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day and affects physical and mental health 18 , 19 . It is reported that breakfast skipping is associated with inflammation, related to an increase in WC and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease risk 20 – 23 . We found FGF21 levels to be increased in subjects with a low breakfast consumption frequency.…”

A Relationship Between Mortality and Eating Breakfast and Fiber

“…Several other studies have found an association of fiber intake with inflammatory biomarkers. [21][22][23] Another possibility is that food timing (eating breakfast) has an impact on chronic inflammation. In a study by Zhu and colleagues, 23 skipping breakfast was associated with higher levels of inflammatory biomarkers (P <.001).…”

“…[21][22][23] Another possibility is that food timing (eating breakfast) has an impact on chronic inflammation. In a study by Zhu and colleagues, 23 skipping breakfast was associated with higher levels of inflammatory biomarkers (P <.001). Eating breakfast may activate certain pathways that inhibit inflammation.…”