Late Dinners, Skipped Breakfasts Increase Osteoporosis Risk, Study Shows

A recent study has found that irregular eating habits, such as eating dinner late and skipping breakfast, can harm bone health and increase the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

According to a recent report by U.S. Fox News, researchers from Japan’s Nara Medical University revealed in a study published in the *Journal of the Endocrine Society* that frequently skipping breakfast or eating dinner close to bedtime negatively impacts bone health.

The research team analyzed the lifestyles of 927,130 individuals using insurance claim databases. Participants were adults aged 20 and older who underwent health checkups between April 1, 2014, and February 28, 2022. The median age was 67 years, with 55% female and 45% male.

Over approximately 2 years and 6 months, the researchers tracked whether participants developed osteoporotic fractures in the hip, spine, forearm, or upper arm.

The study found that individuals who skipped breakfast three or more times a week or ate dinner two hours before bedtime had a higher risk of osteoporosis compared to those who did not. These individuals were also more likely to engage in other unhealthy habits, such as smoking and drinking.

Specifically, skipping breakfast increased the risk of osteoporotic fractures by 18%, smoking by 11%, and late-night dining by 8%. The risk rose to 23% for those who both skipped breakfast and ate dinner late. In contrast, getting 6–8 hours of sufficient sleep reduced fracture risk by approximately 10%.

This highlights how unhealthy lifestyle habits can compound and accumulate.

Lead researcher Professor Hiroki Nakajima explained, “These eating patterns often coexisted with other unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, low physical activity, and insufficient sleep. Comprehensive lifestyle counseling is crucial for fracture prevention.”

While the study did not establish a direct causal relationship between irregular meal times and osteoporosis, previous research has consistently shown the benefits of regular eating patterns for health.

Sunni Escobar, a Miami-based nutritionist in the U.S., stated, “There are many reasons why eating breakfast and dinner at fixed times benefits health, but I want to emphasize that regular routines, like eating at specific times, protect our health without relying on constant thought or willpower.”

Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by reduced bone density and mass, leading to weakened bones. Prevention requires a balanced diet, regular exercise, smoking cessation, moderate alcohol consumption, weight management, and diets rich in calcium and vitamin D.