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By dermatologist Antonis Seretis

People who skip breakfast regularly have a higher risk of heart disease, according to a recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Results show that middle-aged people who don't eat in the morning have double the risk of atherosclerosis compared to those who eat a healthy breakfast.

The study was carried out in Spain, on around 4.000 adults between the ages of 40 and 54 ετών, who do not have a history of heart disease. Participants provided information on their dietary habits and the researchers used these to identify three trends.

Those who skip breakfast or eat less than 5% of their total daily calorie intake for breakfast; those who eat a low calorie breakfast that comprises 5% to 20% of their daily calorie intake; and those who eat a high-energy breakfast that comprises more than 20% of their daily calorie intake.

According to the researchers, participants in the first group have higher levels of atherosclerosis, higher chances of being overweight or obese and had the worst dietary habits compared to the other groups.

Although skipping breakfast is usually linked to more bad dietary habits, such as smoking and drinking alcohol, the results were still valid even when these additional factors were taken into account.