Effect of Skipping Breakfast on Metabolic Function

Effect of Skipping Breakfast on Metabolic Function

The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that the disruption of the "normal" (three meals a day) eating pattern and prolonged overnight fasting caused by skipping breakfast: i) alters the expression of specific clock genes and clock gene targets involved in regulating adipose tissue lipolysis (breakdown or destruction); ii) increases basal adipose tissue lipolytic (breakdown) activity and plasma free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations; iii) reduces skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity; and iv) increases daylong plasma glucose, FFA, and insulin concentrations. The investigator will do this by studying healthy, lean persons either randomized to consume either 3 standard meals per day or omit breakfast and consume 2 meals per day without changing daily calorie intake (skipping breakfast group).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Males & females
• 18-55 years old
• BMI between 18.5 - 29.9 kg/m²
• Sleeps >7 hours/night
• Normally consume 3 meals/day, including breakfast

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy, lactating or breastfeeding
• Diabetes
• Sleep disorders
• Significant organ dysfunction
• Shift or nighttime workers
• Smokers
• Breakfast skippers
• People who regularly sleep <7 hours/night
• Consume excess amounts of alcohol
• Medications that could alter the results of this study