EFFECT OF SKIPPING BREAKFAST ON HEALTH – A SHORT REVIEW

Abstract

Breakfast is perceived to be healthy and even more important than other meals in a day. , breakfast is represented as the first meal consumed within 2 hours after the longest sleep in a 24 hour cycle and this reflects the longest daily duration spent in a fasting stage. Researchers observed that breakfast eaters tend to be physically more active in the morning compared to breakfast skippers and eat later in the day. Breakfast intake replenishes the glycogen stores and stabilizes the insulin levels. Lack of breakfast induces hypoglycemia along with increased hunger, increased mental irritation and fatigue. Skipping breakfast increases the susceptibility to increase weight gain and increased risk of heart disease, atherosclerosis, hypertension, obesity and diabetes. Breakfast skipping also slows down the metabolism of the cells. Breakfast helps in burning good calories. Influence of skipping breakfast in children at school tends to be less active and expend low energy for the whole day compared to regular breakfast consumers. Another study observed that skipping breakfast had an adverse effect on academic performance, class attendance, mood changes and emotional status in childhood and adolescent age groups. So, a healthy breakfast is always necessary for a good start in the morning.