Late dinners, skipped breakfasts increase osteoporosis risk, study shows

A large Japanese study involving more than 900,000 adults has found that people who regularly skip breakfast or eat dinner late at night face a higher risk of developing osteoporosis and suffering fractures. Skipping breakfast was linked to about an 18% higher risk, while eating late dinners raised the risk by around 8%. Those who combined both habits were at an even greater risk.

The researchers suggest that these eating patterns often go hand-in-hand with other unhealthy lifestyle factors such as poor sleep, less physical activity, and smoking, which can further damage bone health.

The reasons behind this connection may include lower intake of essential nutrients like calcium and vitamin D among breakfast skippers, as well as disrupted circadian rhythms and stress hormone imbalances in people who eat late at night. These factors can weaken bone structure over time, making fractures more likely. While the study cannot prove that meal timing directly causes osteoporosis, it reinforces the importance of balanced, timely meals as part of bone-strengthening habits, alongside regular exercise, adequate sleep, and avoiding smoking or excessive alcohol.

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