AUSTRALIA: The hazards of meal skipping

LEEDERVILLE, Perth (SuperLiving), April 21, 2008: By Kristie Batten IF YOU thought skipping a meal was no big deal, think again. Groundbreaking new research has found skipping a meal increases the chances of developing cardiovascular disease. Researchers at the Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center and the National Institute on Aging in the US are the first to report the health effects of skipping a meal. For the study, volunteers participated in two eight-week meal treatment periods. Volunteers were divided into one of two groups during each treatment period and either consumed all their required weight maintenance calories in one meal or in three meals a day. The study showed consuming a one meal per day diet rather than the traditional three meals a day is feasible for a short duration. However, despite a slight decrease in weight and body fat, volunteers who ate one meal per day had significant increases in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol or bad cholesterol, and in blood pressure, compared to when they ate three meals a day. Further analysis of the study showed that when the volunteers skipped meals, they had higher blood sugar levels, higher and more sustained elevations in blood sugar concentrations, and a delayed response to the body’s insulin compared to when they ate all three meals. Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) spokeswoman Denise Griffiths adds that nutrition and health go hand in hand and it is a well-balanced diet that keeps us healthy. “The importance of three meals is if you skip a meal you’re not going to get all of the nutrients in your day, so you’re not going to have eaten enough food to get the nutrients you require,” she said. “In the long term, skipping meals can have health consequences from a nutrient point of view. Good nutrition is a way to avoid obesity, diabetes and heart disease.” Griffiths added people often skip meals to help aid weight loss but do not realise the health dangers associated with missing a meal. “People think that by cutting down meals or skipping meals, their kilojoule intake for the day is going to be less,” she said. “They find it helps with weight loss, but the danger with that is that you’re not going to get enough food that gives you all the adequate vitamins and minerals and nutrients that you need to stay healthy. “Each meal has a role of providing a range of nutrients for the body and if you miss meals, that’s what you’re missing out on.” The DAA recommends dietary guidelines to help people choose foods for a healthy life. The guide suggests enjoying a wide variety of nutritious foods and limiting foods high in fat and sugar: * Eat plenty of vegetables, legumes and fruits. * Eat plenty of cereals (including breads, rice, pasta and noodles), preferably wholegrain. * Include lean meat, fish and poultry. * Include milks, yoghurts and cheeses – reduced-fat varieties should be chosen where possible. * Drink plenty of water. * Limit saturated fat and moderate total fat intake. * Choose foods low in salt. * Limit your alcohol intake if you choose to drink. * Consume only moderate amounts of sugar and foods containing added sugars. Where to find out more Visit the DAA website at www.daa.asn.au Full findings of the study are published in the April 2008 edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. © 2007 Aspermont Limited