Skip to main content
WoMWeb of Medicine
SearchGraphHistory
Internal Medicine›Clinical Question·Updated Apr 18, 2026·v1

Skipping Breakfast and Cardiovascular/Metabolic Health

Evidence-based overview of Skipping Breakfast and Cardiovascular/Metabolic Health.

Moderate Evidence41 references·1,052 words·5 min read·v1
Internal Medicineskipping breakfast and cardiovascular/metabolic health
✓ Evidence Verdict — Definitive: High-quality meta-analyses and network meta-analyses consistently demonstrate that skipping breakfast via time-restricted eating is an effective alternative to continuous energy restriction for improving cardiometabolic markers, though it offers no superior metabolic benefit when caloric intake is matched. Clinicians can recommend breakfast skipping as a valid weight-management strategy for adults with obesity, as it is as effective as traditional calorie-restricted dieting for improving metabolic health.
Framework: PICO
This page covers Skipping Breakfast and Cardiovascular/Metabolic Health, a topic in Internal Medicine.

Deep Dive — Evidence Details

References

  1. [1]

    Sámano Sánchez M, Floridia Rietmann LM, Magallanes Bajana A et al.. “Comparative cardiometabolic effects of high, moderate, and low intensity exercise in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.” BMC women's health (2026). PMID: 41668109 ↗

    L1aSR_MA_RCTCited in: Clinical Bottom Line
  2. [2]

    Liang Y, Yu H, Ren J et al.. “Efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine for metabolic conditions: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.” Frontiers in pharmacology (2025). PMID: 41552833 ↗

    L1aSR_MA_RCTCited in: Clinical Bottom Line
  3. [3]

    Anagnostou A, Larumbe-Zabala E, Fiore J et al.. “Effects of energy-matched low- versus high-carbohydrate diets on glycaemic control, lipid profile, and body composition in healthy adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.” European journal of nutrition (2026). PMID: 41493485 ↗

    L1aSR_MA_RCTCited in: Clinical Bottom Line
  4. [4]

    Huang H, He B, Zhou G et al.. “Quantitative assessment of the effects of sumac (Rhus Coriaria) supplementation on cardiovascular disease risk factors: evidence from a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.” BMC complementary medicine and therapies (2025). PMID: 41372916 ↗

    L1aSR_MA_RCTCited in: Clinical Bottom Line
  5. [5]

    Yong YN, McCubbin AJ, O'Driscoll DM et al.. “The effects of intermittent fasting on sleep quality and cardiometabolic health outcomes in adults with overweight/obesity status: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.” Sleep medicine reviews (2025). PMID: 41202521 ↗

    L1aSR_MA_RCTCited in: Clinical Bottom Line, Intervention vs. Comparator — Efficacy, Certainty of Evidence and Limitations
  6. [6]

    Dong J, Liu M, Liu Z. “Long-term administration of liraglutide for weight management in pediatric patients under 18 years: evidence from 7 randomized controlled trials.” Pediatric research (2025). PMID: 41184626 ↗

    L1aSR_MA_RCTCited in: Clinical Bottom Line
  7. [7]

    Brown LA, Tran JT, Gallop R et al.. “Increasing Safety Plan Use and Reducing Suicidal Ideation Among Emerging Adults: A Pilot Randomized Trial of the STARS Intervention.” Suicide & life-threatening behavior (2026). PMID: 41999074 ↗

    L1bRCTCited in: Population and Setting
  8. [8]

    Campos P, Leal I, Costa RM. “The role of sexual fantasy on sexual desire, distress, and sexual worries: a randomized controlled study.” The journal of sexual medicine (2026). PMID: 41996557 ↗

    L1bRCTCited in: Population and Setting
  9. [9]

    Crespín JJ, Corrales M, Richarte V et al.. “Does Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Predominant Presentation Matter? Examining Functional and Symptom Changes After Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.” Clinical psychology & psychotherapy (2026). PMID: 41994959 ↗

    L1bRCTCited in: Population and Setting
  10. [10]

    Reina BA, Pinto RS, Esteves GP et al.. “The Influence of Short-Term, Severe Low Energy Availability With Varying Protein Content on Substrate Metabolism, High-Intensity Exercise Performance and Subjective Responses in Young Adults.” European journal of sport science (2026). PMID: 41992072 ↗

    L1bRCTCited in: Population and Setting
  11. [11]

    Goldenson NI, Shiffman S, Sembower MA et al.. “Behavioral pharmacology study to inform the switching potential and abuse liability of tobacco-flavored and menthol-flavored pod-based electronic nicotine delivery systems with 5% nicotine concentration.” Experimental and clinical psychopharmacology (2026). PMID: 41989445 ↗

    L1bRCTCited in: Population and Setting
  12. [12]

    Stanfield B, Leroux B, Kaeberlein M et al.. “Exercise and Weekly Sirolimus (Rapamycin) in Older Adults: RAPA-EX-01 Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.” Journal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle (2026). PMID: 41985884 ↗

    L1bRCTCited in: Population and Setting
  13. [13]

    Hsu WF, Kuo CY, Yen HH et al.. “Computer-Assisted Colonoscopy in High-Adenoma Detection Rate Settings in a High-Risk Population: A Randomized Clinical Trial.” JAMA network open (2026). PMID: 41984482 ↗

    L1bRCTCited in: Population and Setting
  14. [14]

    Fani M, Sharp N, Schwedt TJ. “Reducing light sensitivity during and between migraine attacks: A prospective study investigating spectral tuning of white light.” Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache (2026). PMID: 41983992 ↗

    L1bRCTCited in: Population and Setting
  15. [15]

    Bahrami M, Bakhshimoghaddam F, Ahangarpour A et al.. “The Paleolithic diet and chronic disease risk: a GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies and randomized controlled trials.” Critical reviews in food science and nutrition (2026). PMID: 41129328 ↗

    L1aSR_MA_RCTCited in: Intervention vs. Comparator — Efficacy, Certainty of Evidence and Limitations
  16. [16]

    Mongkolsucharitkul P, Surawit A, Pimsen A et al.. “Effectiveness of low-carbohydrate diets on type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in Eastern vs. Western populations.” Diabetes research and clinical practice (2025). PMID: 40930317 ↗

    L1aSR_MA_RCTCited in: Intervention vs. Comparator — Efficacy, Certainty of Evidence and Limitations
  17. [17]

    Wu X, Ding Y, Cao Q et al.. “Comparison of Different Intermittent Fasting Patterns or Different Extents of Calorie Restriction for Weight Loss and Metabolic Improvement in Adults: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.” Nutrition reviews (2026). PMID: 40367516 ↗

    L1aSR_MA_RCTCited in: Intervention vs. Comparator — Efficacy, Certainty of Evidence and Limitations
  18. [18]

    Hironaka J, Hamaguchi M, Ichikawa T et al.. “Low-carbohydrate diets in East Asians with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.” Journal of diabetes investigation (2024). PMID: 39360850 ↗

    L1aSR_MA_RCTCited in: Intervention vs. Comparator — Efficacy, Certainty of Evidence and Limitations
  19. [19]

    Kalter-Leibovici O, Younis-Zeidan N, Murad H et al.. “Long-term cardio-metabolic effects of lifestyle intervention among obese Arab women: a 12-year follow-up of a randomized trial.” Frontiers in endocrinology (2026). PMID: 41953706 ↗

    L1bRCTCited in: Intervention vs. Comparator — Efficacy, Safety and Harms
  20. [20]

    Matthan NR, Duscova E, Matuszek G et al.. “Serum Metabolite Profiles in Adults With Abdominal Obesity in Response to Consuming 1 Avocado Daily for 6 Months: An Exploratory Analysis.” Journal of the American Heart Association (2026). PMID: 41823253 ↗

    L1bRCTCited in: Intervention vs. Comparator — Efficacy, Safety and Harms
  21. [21]

    Noda T, Shimamoto T, Kiyohara K et al.. “A Brief Web-Based and Mobile Intervention of Intermittent Fasting With Meal Support for Weight Loss Among Adults With Overweight and Obesity in Japan: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.” JMIR mHealth and uHealth (2026). PMID: 41587446 ↗

    L1bRCTCited in: Intervention vs. Comparator — Efficacy
  22. [22]

    Anderson GH, Chen Zhou CZ, Vien S et al.. “The Effect of Three Daily Servings of Full-Fat Dairy for 12 Weeks on Body Weight, Body Composition, Energy Metabolism, Blood Lipids, and Dietary Intake of Adults with Overweight and Obesity.” The Journal of nutrition (2026). PMID: 41580085 ↗

    L1bRCTCited in: Intervention vs. Comparator — Efficacy
  23. [23]

    Choo J, Shin Y, Noh S et al.. “Effectiveness of a Hybrid Community-Based Heart-Healthy Lifestyle Intervention: Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial Integrating mHealth and Motivational Interviewing.” JMIR mHealth and uHealth (2026). PMID: 41407528 ↗

    L1bRCTCited in: Intervention vs. Comparator — Efficacy
  24. [24]

    Gletsu-Miller N, Wilcox ML, Spence LA et al.. “Effects of replacing solid fats and added sugars with avocado in adults with elevated cardiometabolic risk: a randomized, double-blind, controlled feeding, crossover trial.” The American journal of clinical nutrition (2026). PMID: 41397527 ↗

    L1bRCTCited in: Intervention vs. Comparator — Efficacy
  25. [25]

    Ghanaatgar M, Ackah-Swanzy L, Anguah KO. “Incorporating 25 g/d of Pea Fiber into Food for 4 Wk Reduces Glucose Area under the Curve in Individuals with Overweight and Obesity.” The Journal of nutrition (2026). PMID: 41297634 ↗

    L1bRCTCited in: Intervention vs. Comparator — Efficacy
  26. [26]

    Tariq A, Harris Khalid M, Ammar M. “Chronotype-aligned exercise timing in middle-aged adults at cardiometabolic risk: a randomised controlled trial.” Open heart (2026). PMID: 41980852 ↗

    L1bRCTCited in: Safety and Harms
  27. [27]

    Malin SK, Battillo DJ, Beeri MS et al.. “A Single Bout of Aerobic Exercise Increases Neuronal Extracellular Vesicle-Derived Insulin Signaling Biomarkers in Adults With Cardiometabolic Risk.” Comprehensive Physiology (2026). PMID: 41876945 ↗

    L1bRCTCited in: Safety and Harms
  28. [28]

    Kasujja FX, Aikaeli F, Garrib A et al.. “Integrated community-based versus facility-based care for people with HIV, diabetes, and hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa (INTE-COMM): an open-label, multicountry, cluster-randomised trial.” Lancet (London, England) (2026). PMID: 41831847 ↗

    L1bRCTCited in: Safety and Harms
  29. [29]

    Stager LM, Maruvada A, Morgan C et al.. “Adolescent sleep restriction, macronutrient consumption, and self-reported hunger: A randomized clinical trial.” Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) (2026). PMID: 41825204 ↗

    L1bRCTCited in: Safety and Harms
  30. [30]

    Xiao J, Wang Q, Tan S et al.. “Effect of a Digital-Driven Physician-Pharmacist Collaborative Model for Diabetes in Primary Health Care: Cluster Randomized Trial.” Journal of medical Internet research (2026). PMID: 41824949 ↗

    L1bRCTCited in: Safety and Harms
  31. [31]

    Padilla J, Ramirez-Perez FI, Smith JA et al.. “ENAC blockade reduces blood pressure and arterial stiffness in adults with obesity and insulin resistance.” American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology (2026). PMID: 41818160 ↗

    L1bRCTCited in: Safety and Harms
  32. [32]

    Zheng C, Dou X, Xiong X et al.. “WeChat-Based Intervention for Glycemic Control in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.” JMIR mHealth and uHealth (2026). PMID: 41719522 ↗

    L1bRCTCited in: Safety and Harms
  33. [33]

    Khan H, Ali K, Fahim T et al.. “Impact of a 12-week calisthenic exercise regimen on glycaemic regulation and cardiovascular endurance in individuals with type 2 diabetes Mellitus. A randomized controlled trail.” Complementary therapies in medicine (2026). PMID: 41713560 ↗

    L1bRCTCited in: Safety and Harms
  34. [34]

    Schroor MM, Joris PJ, Plat J et al.. “Effects of Intermittent Energy Restriction Compared with Those of Continuous Energy Restriction on Body Composition and Cardiometabolic Risk Markers - A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials in Adults.” Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.) (2024). PMID: 37827491 ↗

    L1aSR_MA_RCTCited in: Certainty of Evidence and Limitations
  35. [35]

    Melgar B, Diaz-Arocutipa C, Huerta-Rengifo C et al.. “Vegetarian diets on anthropometric, metabolic and blood pressure outcomes in people with overweight and obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.” International journal of obesity (2005) (2023). PMID: 37528197 ↗

    L1aSR_MA_RCTCited in: Certainty of Evidence and Limitations
  36. [36]

    Jayedi A, Zeraattalab-Motlagh S, Jabbarzadeh B et al.. “Dose-dependent effect of carbohydrate restriction for type 2 diabetes management: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.” The American journal of clinical nutrition (2022). PMID: 35537861 ↗

    L1aSR_MA_RCTCited in: Certainty of Evidence and Limitations
  37. [37]

    Garvey WT, Mechanick JI, Brett EM et al.. “AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGISTS AND AMERICAN COLLEGE OF ENDOCRINOLOGY COMPREHENSIVE CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR MEDICAL CARE OF PATIENTS WITH OBESITY.” Endocrine practice : official journal of the American College of Endocrinology and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (2016). PMID: 27219496 ↗

    L1cGUIDELINECited in: Practice Implication
  38. [38]

    Corona G, Goulis DG, Huhtaniemi I et al.. “European Academy of Andrology (EAA) guidelines on investigation, treatment and monitoring of functional hypogonadism in males: Endorsing organization: European Society of Endocrinology.” Andrology (2020). PMID: 32026626 ↗

    L1cGUIDELINECited in: Practice Implication
  39. [39]

    Wyckoff JA, Lapolla A, Asias-Dinh BD et al.. “Preexisting Diabetes and Pregnancy: An Endocrine Society and European Society of Endocrinology Joint Clinical Practice Guideline.” The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism (2025). PMID: 40652453 ↗

    L1cGUIDELINECited in: Practice Implication
  40. [40]

    Wilson RD, Monks DT, Sharawi N et al.. “Guidelines for antenatal and preoperative care in cesarean delivery: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Society recommendations (part 1)-2025 update.” American journal of obstetrics and gynecology (2026). PMID: 40335350 ↗

    L1cGUIDELINECited in: Practice Implication
  41. [41]

    Muscogiuri G, Barrea L, Bettini S et al.. “European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) Position Statement on Medical Nutrition Therapy for the Management of Individuals with Overweight or Obesity and Cancer.” Obesity facts (2025). PMID: 39433024 ↗

    L1cGUIDELINECited in: Practice Implication

Revision History

All updates applied to this page

Loading revisions…