by A recent study published in the journal Nutrients has found a link between late nights and skipping breakfast and an increased risk of heart disease, particularly in men. The study, which involved 16,121 participants, investigated the additive effects of sleep timing and breakfast-eating habits on cardiovascular health.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death globally, and its prevalence is on the rise. Modifiable behaviors, such as diet, exercise, and sleep patterns, have been associated with an increased risk of CVD.
Breakfast is considered an essential meal as it breaks the overnight fast. Research has shown that skipping breakfast is directly correlated with risk factors for CVD, such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
Sleep patterns have also been found to impact cardiovascular health. Low sleep duration is associated with an increased risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome, regardless of dietary habits. Inconsistent or late sleep timings can disrupt the natural circadian rhythm, further affecting cardiovascular health.
Previous studies have focused on individual behaviors, neglecting to examine their combined effects. However, sleep timings and breakfast patterns are interdependent, as sleeping late often leads to late-night eating and skipping breakfast. Therefore, understanding the combined effects of sleep timings and breakfast habits on CVD risk is crucial for developing effective interventions.
The study analyzed different combinations of sleep and breakfast habits to assess their impact on CVD risk. The participants were divided into four cohorts based on sleep and eating patterns. Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used, which included 6,744 men and 9,277 women above the age of 19.
The results showed significant differences between men and women in terms of employment status, education, smoking and drinking habits, and baseline CVD risk factors. Men had lower sleep durations, higher protein and calorie intake, and worse CVD risk factors compared to women.
Age also played a role in the participants’ responses to sleep and breakfast behaviors. Men below the age of 50 who slept early and skipped breakfast or slept late and regularly ate breakfast had a higher likelihood of metabolic syndrome. However, men over 50 showed a different trend, with those who slept early and regularly ate breakfast or slept late and skipped breakfast having a higher risk of metabolic syndrome.
In women, those under 50 who slept late and regularly ate breakfast had a higher prevalence of obesity compared to those who slept early and regularly ate breakfast. However, women over 50 who slept late and skipped breakfast had higher obesity and metabolic syndrome risks.
Overall, the study suggests that the combined effects of late sleep and skipping breakfast are associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, particularly in men. However, no associations were found between these combined behaviors and obesity, hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia.
These findings highlight the importance of considering sleep timings and breakfast habits together when assessing cardiovascular health and developing interventions to reduce CVD risk.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
