A recent study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics sheds new light on the relationship between daily eating habits and mortality risk. The study, which analyzed data from over 24,000 American adults aged 40 and over, found that individuals who eat only one meal per day or skip breakfast have an increased risk of mortality. The study's findings suggest that meal frequency, skipping, and intervals should be taken into consideration when assessing overall health. In this article, we'll explore the study's findings and provide insights into how individuals can adopt healthy eating habits to reduce the risk of mortality and promote well-being.
The Study's Findings
The research found that individuals eating only one meal per day had a 30% higher all-cause mortality risk and an 83% higher cardiovascular mortality risk compared to those eating three meals per day. Additionally, those who skipped breakfast had a 40% higher mortality risk, while individuals who ate meals less than 4.5 hours apart had an increased mortality risk of 17% compared to those eating between 4.6 and 5.5 hours apart. It is worth noting that this study is a correlation study and does not prove causation. Furthermore, participants who ate fewer than three meals per day were more likely to smoke, drink more alcohol, have less education, lower family income, be food insecure, and eat less nutritious food overall. Therefore, further research is needed to determine whether there is a causal relationship between daily eating habits and mortality risk.
Adopting Healthy Eating Habits
Despite these limitations, the study emphasizes that meal frequency, skipping, and intervals should be taken into consideration when assessing overall health. The ideal number of meals per day is two to three, and they should be spread out with intervals between 4.6 and 5.5 hours.
A Plant-based or Mediterranean-style diet is recommended for overall health, which is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and olive oil. In addition, individuals should aim to eat a balanced diet, including proteins, carbohydrates, and healthy fats, and avoid processed and high-calorie foods.
Maintaining a consistent meal schedule is also essential for promoting long-term health and well-being. By adopting healthy eating habits, individuals can reduce the risk of mortality and promote well-being.
Conclusion
In summary, the study's findings contribute to the growing body of evidence linking eating behaviors and mortality. By maintaining a consistent meal schedule and adopting healthy eating habits, individuals can reduce the risk of mortality and promote overall well-being. While more research is needed to determine the causal relationship between daily eating habits and mortality risk, it is clear that meal frequency, skipping, and intervals should be taken into consideration when assessing overall health.
Reference:
Sun, Yangbo et al. Meal Skipping and Shorter Meal Intervals Are Associated with Increased Risk of All-Cause and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality among US Adults. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Volume 123, Issue 3, 417 - 426.e3