The Ghana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (GAND) has cautioned against promoting breakfast skipping as a guaranteed strategy for weight loss, stressing the need for a more balanced and individualised approach to managing weight.
According to the academy, factors such as a person’s overall dietary pattern, lifestyle, health status and individual nutritional needs are more important than simply eliminating breakfast.
While some studies have suggested that skipping breakfast may reduce daily calorie intake and lead to modest weight loss, the academy noted that other research has found no significant differences in body weight, body fat or waist circumference between people who eat breakfast and those who do not.
In a position statement, GAND said available evidence also raises concerns about the potential health effects of routinely skipping breakfast. Some studies have associated the practice with increased LDL cholesterol, while observational research has linked it to cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and mortality.
The academy has therefore rejected the blanket recommendation that people trying to lose weight should skip breakfast. It said dietary choices should instead be guided by an individual’s overall health, eating patterns and specific weight-management goals.
Evidence
Research into the relationship between breakfast and weight management has produced mixed findings. Some short-term intervention studies have linked skipping breakfast to reduced calorie intake and modest weight loss. However, reviews of randomised controlled trials have found no significant differences in key measures of body weight between people instructed to eat breakfast and those advised to skip it.
The Academy noted that body weight should not be the sole measure when assessing the effects of regularly missing breakfast. Although some studies have reported slight weight reductions among breakfast skippers, other research has linked the practice to increased levels of LDL cholesterol.
Observational studies have also identified associations between habitual breakfast skipping and conditions such as cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes and mortality. The Academy stressed, however, that these associations do not establish that skipping breakfast directly causes the conditions. It therefore urged caution against promoting breakfast omission as a general health or weight-management strategy.
Context
The issue also affects children and adolescents, as breakfast plays a crucial role in their daily energy and nutrient intake. In Ghana, some young people may skip breakfast due to limited food availability rather than a conscious decision to manage their weight. Therefore, the Academy suggests that public nutrition messages should take into account both people’s health needs and their social and economic circumstances.
Individual matters
The Academy emphasised that the choice to eat or skip breakfast should be considered in the broader context of an individual’s daily diet, appetite patterns, medication use, health status, and weight‑management goals. It encouraged the public to seek guidance from registered dietitians and nutrition professionals before making significant dietary changes.
