Early Breakfast and Longer Overnight Fasting Associated with Lower BMI

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 20:12:00 +0200

A recent study conducted by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) suggests that meal timing may be as important as food choices in maintaining a healthy weight. The research, involving over 7,000 adults aged 40-65, followed participants for five years to analyze how eating habits affected body mass index (BMI). The study found that two specific habits—extending overnight fasting and having an early breakfast—were associated with lower BMI over time. Scientists believe this may be because eating earlier aligns with the body's circadian rhythms, which regulate metabolism and appetite. Interestingly, skipping breakfast as part of intermittent fasting did not provide similar benefits and was sometimes linked to less healthy lifestyle choices, particularly in a subgroup of men who also smoked, consumed alcohol, and were less active. The research falls within the field of 'chrononutrition,' which studies how the timing of food intake impacts health. Previous ISGlobal research