Unexpected danger of skipping breakfast revealed

Skipping breakfast can worsen depression and reduce concentration in young people — study by Hong Kong scientists

A large-scale study published in the prestigious journal Frontiers in Psychiatry has revealed a concerning link between skipping morning meals and the psychological well-being of young people. Scientists from Hong Kong found that regularly skipping breakfast can significantly intensify symptoms of depression and negatively affect the ability to concentrate.

As part of the Hong Kong Youth Epidemiological Study project, specialists analyzed the eating habits of 3154 volunteers. The results were discouraging: about 15% of adolescents and young people completely ignore breakfast, and only a third (33%) eat breakfast every day. The study showed a clear relationship between the absence of morning food intake and increased symptoms of depression, anxiety, as well as deterioration in social adaptation and academic performance.

According to researchers, the main mechanism of this relationship is a decrease in the ability to concentrate. Young people who neglect breakfast are significantly more likely to face problems maintaining focus on tasks. In addition, scientists found a correlation between skipping the first meal of the day and increased behavioral impulsivity.

Further data analysis established that concentration impairment specifically explains more than a third of the connection between skipping breakfast and manifestations of depression in young people.