Skipping Breakfast and Late Sleep May Increase Heart Disease Risk in Men, Study Finds

This study, published in the journal Nutrients, examined how breakfast habits and sleep timing together affect heart disease risk factors in over 16,000 Korean adults. Participants were divided into groups based on whether they slept early/late and ate breakfast regularly/infrequently. Men who skipped breakfast and slept late had a lower obesity rate but a higher risk of metabolic syndrome compared to those who consistently slept early and ate breakfast. In women, skipping breakfast and sleeping late was linked to lower unhealthy cholesterol levels but a higher risk of metabolic syndrome. Overall, the study suggests the combined effects of breakfast and sleep timing on heart disease risk factors differ by sex and age.

Key points:

• Limited research: While prior studies have explored the individual effects of breakfast and sleep on health, their combined impact remains unclear.

• Study participants: 16,121 Korean adults (aged 19+) were divided into four groups based on sleep and breakfast habits:

  • Early sleep + regular breakfast

  • Late sleep + regular breakfast

  • Early sleep + infrequent breakfast

  • Late sleep + infrequent breakfast

• Findings in men:

  • Group 4 (late sleep, infrequent breakfast) had lower obesity rates compared to Group 1 (early sleep, regular breakfast).

  • Groups 2, 3, and 4 had an increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) compared to group 1.

• Findings for women:

  • Group 4 had a lower dyslipidemia prevalence compared to Group 1.

  • Group 2 had an increased MetS prevalence compared to Group 1.

• Key observation: Skipping breakfast combined with late sleep was associated with a higher prevalence of MetS, especially in men.

• Overall conclusion: The combined effects of breakfast and sleep timing on CVD risk factors differ by sex and age.

The study in question represents a significant advancement in our understanding of the relationship between breakfast habits, sleep patterns, and cardiovascular health. It examined data from a diverse population, aiming to uncover potential links between skipping breakfast, late sleep timing, and various CVD risk factors, including metabolic syndrome (MetS), obesity, diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), and dyslipidemia (DL).

The Importance of Breakfast

You've heard it before: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But what makes it so crucial? Well, it's all about breaking the longest overnight fast. When you wake up, your body is in a state of fasting, and breakfast kickstarts your metabolism, providing the energy and nutrients you need to power through the day. However, research spanning decades has shown that skipping breakfast can have detrimental effects on your health, including an increased risk of obesity, diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), and metabolic syndrome (MetS), all of which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD).

The Sleep Factor

Now, let's turn our attention to sleep. While previous research primarily focused on the duration of sleep, sleep timing has emerged as a distinctive and critical element affecting obesity and metabolic health, independent of sleep duration. The timing of your sleep can disrupt your circadian rhythm, causing a misalignment between your body's internal clock and your lifestyle patterns. Studies have even linked a later bedtime to an increased risk of CVD risk factors.

The Symbiotic Relationship

Here's where it gets interesting. Sleep timing and breakfast are intertwined. Late bedtime and your chronotype, which refers to your natural inclination towards being a night owl or an early bird, have been associated with late-night food intake, poor dietary habits, and skipping breakfast. Research using Mendelian randomization has provided evidence of a causal relationship between evening chronotype, skipping breakfast, and an increased body mass index (BMI). The evidence is mounting that a combination of risk factors can impact health outcomes differently than individual factors alone.

The Unexplored Territory

While there's a wealth of research on the individual effects of breakfast and sleep on health, the combined impact of these two lifestyle factors remains relatively uncharted. This study set out to investigate how breakfast and sleep timing, when combined, contribute to the development of CVD risk factors, such as obesity, DM, HTN, dyslipidemia (DL), and MetS, in Korean adults. It also aimed to uncover whether these relationships varied by age and gender

Methods

The study involved 16,121 Korean adults aged 19 and above. They were categorized into four groups based on their sleep and breakfast habits:

• Early sleep + regular breakfast: This group represented individuals who both slept early and consistently ate breakfast.

• Late sleep + regular breakfast: This group consisted of individuals who slept late but still ate breakfast regularly.

• Early sleep + infrequent breakfast: This group included individuals who slept early but infrequently ate breakfast.

• Late sleep + infrequent breakfast: This group comprised individuals who both slept late and rarely ate breakfast.

The study's key findings highlight sex-specific differences in the relationship between sleep, breakfast habits, and CVD risk factors:

Men:

• Group 4 (late sleep, infrequent breakfast) displayed a lower prevalence of obesity compared to Group 1 (early sleep, regular breakfast). However, they also had a higher risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS). MetS is a cluster of conditions including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, unhealthy cholesterol levels, and excess abdominal fat, all of which increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

Women:

• Group 4 (late sleep, infrequent breakfast) had a lower prevalence of dyslipidemia, a condition characterized by abnormal levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. However, similar to men in this group, they also showed a higher risk of MetS.

• Group 2 (late sleep, regular breakfast) displayed an increased prevalence of MetS compared to Group 1.

A significant observation is that skipping breakfast combined with late sleep was associated with a higher prevalence of MetS, particularly in men. This suggests that the combined effect of these lifestyle choices may be more detrimental to heart health compared to the individual effects alone.

Association with Metabolic Syndrome

One of the most notable findings was the association between skipping breakfast, late sleep, and a higher prevalence of MetS, particularly among men. Individuals who skipped breakfast and engaged in late sleep exhibited a significantly elevated risk of MetS compared to those with regular breakfast habits and early sleep patterns.

Impact on Obesity

Contrary to expectations, the study found inverse relationships between skipping breakfast, late sleep, and obesity in men. However, this association did not hold true across all age groups and genders. Notably, older women who skipped breakfast and had late sleep showed a significantly higher prevalence of obesity.

Relationship with Diabetes and Hypertension

Interestingly, the study did not find significant associations between combined breakfast habits, sleep timing, and the prevalence of DM and HTN across all demographics. Previous research has predominantly examined these factors individually, highlighting the need for further investigation into their combined effects.

Insights into Dyslipidemia

While the relationship between breakfast, sleep timing, and DL remains underexplored, the study's findings suggest that, apart from specific groups, no significant differences were observed. However, future research is warranted to elucidate this relationship further.

Gender and Age Disparities

The study's outcomes varied significantly based on gender and age groups. Men and women exhibited distinct responses to combined breakfast and sleep patterns, emphasizing the importance of considering demographic factors in cardiovascular research.

Implications for Public Health

Understanding the joint influence of breakfast consumption and sleep timing on cardiovascular health has significant implications for public health interventions. By promoting healthy breakfast habits and optimal sleep hygiene, policymakers and healthcare professionals can potentially mitigate CVD risk factors and improve overall population health outcomes.

Workplace Wellness Programs

Given the impact of occupational status on breakfast and sleep patterns, implementing workplace wellness programs could play a crucial role in supporting employees' cardiovascular health. Employers can offer incentives, flexible schedules, and educational workshops to promote healthy lifestyles among their workforce.

Key findings:

• Men who skipped breakfast and slept late had a higher risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS), a cluster of risk factors for heart disease, compared to those who consistently ate breakfast and slept early.

• Women who skipped breakfast and slept late had a lower prevalence of unhealthy cholesterol levels but a higher risk of MetS.

• Unexpectedly, men who skipped breakfast and slept late had a lower prevalence of obesity.

• The relationships between breakfast/sleep habits and CVD risk factors differed by sex and age group.

Overall, the study suggests that the combined effects of breakfast and sleep timing on CVD risk factors are complex and differ by sex and age. More research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms and confirm these findings.

Reference Article

Kim, Y.; An, H.-J.; Seo, Y.-G. The Relationship between Breakfast and Sleep and Cardiovascular Risk Factors. Nutrients 2023, 15, 4596. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15214596

Related

https://healthnewstrend.com/blood-pressure-variability-a-predictor-of-dementia-and-heart-disease

Medical Disclaimer

The information on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.