SYSTEMATIC REVIEW article
Front. Cardiovasc. Med.
Sec. Cardiovascular Epidemiology and Prevention
Volume 12 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fcvm.2025.1565806
The Association Between Skipping Breakfast and Cardiovascular Disease: a meta analysis
Provisionally accepted
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a global health challenge significantly influenced by healthy behaviors. Nutritional research highlights the critical role of eating habits in the development of CVD. However, existing studies on the association between skipping breakfast and CVD have produced conflicting results. To address this controversy, we conducted a meta-analysis to clarify the relationship. Method: We performed a systematic search of the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane and Web of Science databases for studies published before October 2024 to identify and assess prospective research on the relationship between skipping breakfast and CVD. In the study selection process, the PECOS framework and stringent inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied. The quality of the initially included studies was independently assessed using the Newcastl¬e-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Data from the included studies, including odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), were extracted and analyzed using Stata 16.0. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to validate the results. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 and Cochrane Q tests, and publication bias was evaluated using Egger's test and funnel plot analysis. Results: This meta-analysis includes 2,383,813 participants. As a result, nine studies included 13 data points. Skipping breakfast, compared to regular breakfast consumption, was associated with an increased risk of CVD (OR: 1.17, 95% CI:1.09–1.26). Cardiovascular diseases were further categorized into coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke, and cardiovascular disease mortality (CDM). Skipping breakfast was associated with an increased risk of CAD (OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.05–1.24), stroke (RR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.01–1.3), and CDM (OR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.20–1.84). Conclusion: Skipping breakfast is significantly associated with increased CVD risk. Our analysis elucidates multiple pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this association. These findings collectively suggest that regular breakfast consumption may confer cardiovascular protective benefits.
Keywords: skipping breakfast, cardiovascular disease, Coronary Artery Disease, Stroke, Cardiovascular disease mortality, Meta-analysis
Received: 27 Jan 2025; Accepted: 20 Oct 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Zhang, Zhang, Liu, Wang and hu. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: hui Zhang, zh18954892328@163.com
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