People who eat breakfast every day tend to gain less weight each year than those who skip it — even if they eat the same total calories.

Scientific Claim

In a cohort of 50,660 North American adults aged 30 and older, regularly eating breakfast is associated with a small annual reduction in body mass index (BMI) of -0.029 kg/m²/year compared to skipping breakfast.

Original Statement

“Breakfast eaters (-0.029; 95% CI: -0.047, -0.012; P < 0.001) experienced a decreased BMI compared with breakfast skippers.”

From study:Meal Frequency and Timing Are Associated with Changes in Body Mass Index in Adventist Health Study 2.

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

overstated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

association

Can only show association/correlation

Assessment Explanation

The study shows an association, not causation. The original text implies breakfast 'causes' lower BMI, but confounding factors like overall diet quality or discipline may explain the link.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Meal Frequency and Timing Are Associated with Changes in Body Mass Index in Adventist Health Study 2.

Cohort Study

Human

2017 Sep

People who ate breakfast lost a tiny bit of weight each year compared to those who skipped it, and this was found in a large, well-studied group of adults in North America.

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Meal Frequency and Timing Are Associated with Changes in Body Mass Index in Adventist Health Study 2.

Score: 67

DOI: 10.3945/jn.116.244749

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