What is the most commonly skipped meal?

November 29, 2025 •

4 min read

According to numerous studies, breakfast is the most commonly skipped meal among various age groups and demographics. Factors like lack of time, not feeling hungry in the morning, and the desire to control weight are often cited as the main reasons behind this prevalent habit.

Quick Summary

Overwhelming evidence indicates that breakfast is the most frequently skipped meal, with studies showing skipping rates significantly higher than for lunch or dinner. This trend is linked to various health consequences, including metabolic disruptions and lower diet quality, and is influenced by lifestyle factors like busy schedules and diet habits.

Key Points

Breakfast is the most skipped meal: Studies consistently show that breakfast is the most frequently omitted meal compared to lunch and dinner.
Reasons for skipping vary: Lack of time, not feeling hungry, and trying to manage weight are the most common reasons cited by individuals.
Skipping impacts health negatively: Habitual breakfast skipping is linked to metabolic disruptions, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, poor cognitive function, and negative mood changes.
Different meals have different impacts: While skipping breakfast often affects overall diet quality, skipping lunch or dinner can have specific effects, such as altering subsequent postprandial glucose levels.
Specific demographics are more prone: Adolescents, young adults, and individuals with lower socioeconomic status are more likely to skip breakfast.
Creating routine is key: To combat meal skipping, strategies like meal prepping, setting alarms, and starting with small, simple meals can help re-establish a healthy routine.
Skipping doesn't always lead to weight loss: The belief that skipping breakfast helps with weight loss is often a misconception, as it can slow metabolism and lead to overeating later in the day.
Gender and age differences exist: In some studies, men were more likely to skip breakfast, while women were more prone to skipping lunch or dinner.

The Overwhelming Evidence Pointing to Breakfast

Multiple studies across different populations consistently identify breakfast as the most commonly skipped meal. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced among adolescents and young adults, who often face unique time pressures and lifestyle changes. The reasons behind this behavior are multifaceted, encompassing everything from convenience to weight management attempts.

Why People Skip Breakfast: Common Reasons

Several recurring factors explain why the morning meal is often the first to go. These reasons are not just about personal preference but are deeply intertwined with modern life's demands and individual physiological responses.

Lack of Time: One of the most frequently cited reasons is simply not having enough time in the morning. Busy schedules, long commutes, and prioritizing extra sleep often push breakfast to the bottom of the list.
Not Feeling Hungry: For some, especially those who eat late dinners, a lack of appetite in the morning makes eating breakfast unappealing. The body's internal clock and habits play a significant role in determining morning hunger signals.
Weight Control Efforts: Contrary to common belief, some people skip breakfast believing it will help them lose weight by reducing their overall caloric intake. However, studies suggest this can backfire, leading to overcompensation later in the day and potentially slowing metabolism.
Lifestyle and Routine: Factors like living situation, work shifts, and social habits can influence meal patterns. College students and shift workers, for example, often exhibit irregular meal habits.
Poor Food Availability: In some cases, a lack of readily available breakfast foods at home or limited options at school and work can contribute to skipping the meal.

The Health Consequences of Skipping Meals

While skipping any meal can have repercussions, consistently missing breakfast has been linked to a specific set of health issues. It is not a harmless habit for everyone, as it can disrupt the body's natural metabolic and hormonal rhythms.

A Comparison of Skipped Meals and Their Impact


Feature	Skipping Breakfast	Skipping Lunch	Skipping Dinner
Prevalence	Most common, especially among young adults and teens.	Less frequent than breakfast, with varying rates.	The least common meal to skip, but still occurs.
Dietary Impact	Often leads to a lower overall diet quality and reduced intake of fiber, whole grains, and dairy.	Can reduce intake of vegetables, seafood, and plant proteins.	Reduces intake of vegetables, dairy, and protein food groups.
Metabolic Effects	Disrupts circadian rhythms, increases risk of insulin resistance, and can slow metabolism.	May lead to an increase in postprandial glucose levels at the subsequent dinner meal.	Associated with metabolic disruptions and potential weight gain over time.
Behavioral Outcomes	Can cause irritability, low energy, and difficulty concentrating during the day. Often leads to overeating or poor food choices later on.	Can also lead to mood swings and overconsumption later in the day.	Can lead to late-night snacking and affect sleep quality.

The Ripple Effect of a Missed Breakfast

When the body is deprived of food in the morning after an overnight fast, it can experience several physiological changes. These changes extend beyond immediate hunger pangs to affect long-term health and daily functioning.

Disrupted Metabolism: Skipping breakfast can cause a hormonal imbalance, with higher levels of stress hormones like cortisol and lower levels of appetite-regulating hormones. This can lead to metabolic dysregulation over time, making weight management more difficult.
Cognitive Decline: The brain relies on a steady supply of glucose for optimal function. Missing breakfast can result in a drop in blood sugar levels, leading to poor concentration, slower thinking, and impaired memory. This is particularly notable in children and students.
Cardiovascular Risks: Habitual breakfast skipping has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke. This may be tied to factors like elevated blood pressure and poor lipid profiles.
Poor Mood and Energy: The “hanger” phenomenon—a mix of hunger and anger—is a real outcome of low blood sugar from skipping meals. Consistent breakfast skipping can lead to more frequent mood swings, fatigue, and lower energy levels throughout the day.

Practical Ways to Combat Skipping Meals

Changing a long-standing habit like skipping breakfast requires a conscious effort, but it is achievable. Focusing on simple and sustainable changes can lead to a more balanced routine and improved health.

Meal Prep in Advance: Preparing breakfast the night before can save valuable time in the morning. Options like overnight oats, pre-chopped fruit for smoothies, or healthy muffins make a grab-and-go meal simple and fast.
Start Small: If you are not accustomed to eating in the morning, begin with something small, like a handful of nuts, a piece of fruit, or a yogurt. Gradually, your body's appetite will adjust.
Keep Snacks Handy: For those who simply can't handle a full meal, keeping healthy snacks like almonds, a protein bar, or an apple can provide a bridge to a more substantial mid-morning meal.
Prioritize Sleep: Waking up earlier is easier when you go to bed earlier. Prioritizing enough sleep can naturally create more time and appetite for breakfast in the morning.
Set Reminders: Use an alarm on your phone or schedule a lunch break in your work calendar. Creating these small routines can help rebuild the habit of regular eating.

Conclusion

While skipping any meal can disrupt health, the data is clear that what is the most commonly skipped meal is breakfast. The reasons range from a lack of time to misperceptions about weight control, but the consequences can affect everything from metabolism and mood to cognitive function. By implementing small, practical changes like meal prepping or simply starting with a light snack, it is possible to re-establish a healthy routine. Addressing the root cause, whether it's a hectic schedule or a habit of eating late, is the first step toward improving overall dietary patterns and well-being. Ultimately, understanding why breakfast is so often missed is key to making a lasting change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Breakfast is the most commonly skipped meal, with numerous studies confirming higher skipping rates for breakfast compared to lunch or dinner across many populations.

Regularly skipping breakfast can lead to negative health outcomes, including a slowed metabolism, disrupted blood sugar levels, impaired cognitive function, and an increased risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease.

The most common reasons include not having enough time in the morning, a lack of morning appetite, believing it helps with weight loss, and lifestyle factors like busy schedules.

Research suggests that skipping different meals affects the body in different ways, but skipping breakfast consistently is generally associated with the most significant negative health outcomes, such as reduced diet quality and metabolic disruptions.

While it may seem counterintuitive, skipping breakfast can contribute to weight gain in the long run. It can slow metabolism, increase hunger hormones, and lead to larger portion sizes or less healthy choices later in the day.

Start with small, manageable meals, like a piece of fruit or yogurt, if you are not used to eating in the morning. Preparing meals in advance, setting reminders, and prioritizing sleep can also help.

Adolescents, young adults, and individuals with lower socioeconomic status are often found to be the most frequent breakfast skippers. Studies also show variations by gender and living situation.