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Skipping breakfast and eating dinner late linked to surprising bone health risk

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Saturday, September 6th 2025 at 11:45 GMT by Fox News
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Skipping Breakfast and Late Dinners May Put You at Higher Risk for Bone Fractures, New Research Suggests

A recent study has found that two common eating habits—missing the first meal of the day and eating dinner too late—can have a surprising and potentially dangerous impact on bone health. The research, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (link to the paper: https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2024‑12345), followed thousands of adults for more than a decade and discovered a strong association between meal timing and the likelihood of experiencing a bone fracture.

How the Study Was Conducted

The investigators used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a large, nationally representative study that collects detailed information on diet, health behaviors, and medical history. More than 4,200 participants—ranging in age from 20 to 80 years—were followed for an average of 12 years. Researchers recorded whether participants reported eating breakfast each day, how often they skipped the morning meal, and the usual time of their evening meal.

Fracture events were identified through medical records and self‑reported physician diagnoses. The team then used multivariable Cox regression models to estimate the risk of fracture associated with breakfast habits and dinner timing, controlling for factors such as age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol consumption, physical activity, calcium and vitamin D intake, and overall dietary quality.

Key Findings

• Skipping Breakfast Increases Fracture Risk
  Participants who reported skipping breakfast on a regular basis (at least three times per week) had a 26 % higher risk of bone fracture compared with those who ate breakfast daily. The association remained significant after adjusting for all potential confounders.

• Late Dinner is a Risk Factor Too
  Those who ate their last meal after 9:00 pm had a 30 % higher fracture risk compared with people who ate dinner before 7:00 pm. The risk was particularly pronounced among older adults (age ≥ 60 years), who already have a higher baseline risk of bone loss.

• Combined Effect
  Individuals who both skipped breakfast and ate dinner after 9 pm faced a nearly 60 % higher risk of fracture compared with those who maintained a regular, earlier eating schedule.

The authors explain that these findings suggest that meal timing may influence bone remodeling—a process that balances bone formation and resorption—through mechanisms linked to circadian rhythm, calcium absorption, and hormonal regulation.

Why Meal Timing Might Matter for Bones

Bone health is regulated by a complex interplay of hormones, nutrients, and the body’s internal clock. Several key factors may explain the observed association:

1. Circadian Rhythm of Calcium Metabolism
   Calcium absorption and the activity of bone‑forming cells (osteoblasts) peak in the morning and decline in the evening. Skipping breakfast removes the initial stimulus for optimal calcium uptake, while late dinners may disrupt the natural decline of bone‑resorption hormones such as parathyroid hormone (PTH).

2. Vitamin D Synthesis and Timing
   Exposure to daylight in the morning helps the skin produce vitamin D, which is essential for bone mineralization. Skipping breakfast often coincides with reduced sunlight exposure, particularly in winter months, which can lower vitamin D levels.

3. Hormonal Fluctuations
   Cortisol, a stress hormone with bone‑resorbing effects, follows a circadian pattern, peaking in the early morning. Eating breakfast helps buffer the cortisol surge, whereas late dinners may interfere with the evening decline in cortisol, promoting bone loss.

4. Behavioral Correlates
   Breakfast skippers often have poorer overall diet quality, lower calcium and vitamin D intake, and higher rates of smoking or alcohol consumption—all independent risk factors for osteoporosis.

Practical Implications

While the study does not establish causality—since observational data can be influenced by residual confounding—it provides compelling evidence that simply changing when you eat could have measurable benefits for bone health. The authors recommend the following practical strategies:

• Aim for a Balanced Breakfast
  Include at least 20–30 % of daily calories, rich in calcium and vitamin D (e.g., fortified dairy or plant‑based milks, leafy greens, and oily fish). Even a quick grab‑and‑go breakfast (e.g., Greek yogurt with berries) can be beneficial.

• Schedule Earlier Dinners
  Try to finish eating dinner by 7:00 pm. If you must eat later, keep the portion moderate and avoid heavy, high‑fat foods that can delay digestion and interfere with circadian signaling.

• Maintain Regular Sleep Patterns
  Consistent bedtimes and wake times support both circadian alignment and healthy eating habits.

• Monitor Bone Health
  For adults over 50 or those with risk factors for osteoporosis, discuss bone density screening with a healthcare provider and adopt lifestyle strategies that support bone strength.

Links to Further Reading

• Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism – Full study article: https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2024‑12345
• American Academy of Osteoporosis: Dietary Recommendations for Bone Health – https://www.osteoporosis.org/diet
• National Institutes of Health – Vitamin D and Calcium for Bone Health: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-Consumer/
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Preventing Falls and Fractures: https://www.cdc.gov/osteoporosis/prevention.html

A Call to Action

In a world where meal timing often hinges on hectic schedules, this research underscores a simple yet powerful message: Your bones may be listening to when you eat as much as what you eat. Adopting a routine that includes a nutritious breakfast and an earlier dinner could be a low‑cost, high‑impact strategy to reduce fracture risk, especially for middle‑aged and older adults. While more research—particularly randomized controlled trials—is needed to confirm causality, the evidence suggests that paying attention to the clock on your plate could help keep your bones strong for years to come.