As people grow older, many parts of daily life begin to change. Sleep patterns, energy levels, and appetite often become different with age.
Scientists are now finding that the time people eat their meals, especially breakfast, may also change and could provide important clues about their health.
A new study by researchers from Mass General Brigham and several other research centers followed nearly 3,000 adults in the United Kingdom who were between 42 and 94 years old.
The research tracked participants for more than 20 years and was published in the journal Communications Medicine. During the study, the team collected information about eating habits, health conditions, lifestyle, blood samples, and other medical data.
The researchers found that people generally started eating later in the day as they became older. Breakfast and dinner both tended to move to later times. Older adults also usually ate all of their meals within a shorter period each day.
Although these changes may seem small, the study found they were linked to health. People who regularly ate breakfast later were more likely to have physical and mental health problems. These included tiredness, depression, poor dental health, and difficulty preparing meals, all of which could delay the first meal of the day.
Poor sleep also appeared to play an important role. Participants who slept badly were more likely to eat later because sleep affects energy, hunger, and the body’s natural daily rhythm. Changes in sleep and eating may therefore happen together.
One of the most important findings was that people who regularly ate breakfast later had a higher risk of dying during the study period. The researchers said this does not prove that eating breakfast late causes poor health. Instead, it suggests that a delayed breakfast may be an early sign that a person’s health is getting worse.
The study also found that natural body clocks affect meal timing. People who naturally stay up late and wake up later, often called night owls, were more likely to eat later than people who prefer earlier mornings.
Lead author Dr. Hassan Dashti said that changes in breakfast time could become a simple warning sign for doctors and families. If an older adult suddenly begins eating much later than usual, it may point to sleep problems, depression, trouble preparing food, or other medical conditions that need attention.
The researchers believe that keeping regular meal times may help support healthy aging. A consistent eating schedule helps the body’s internal clock, which plays an important role in sleep, metabolism, and energy levels. Regular routines may therefore support both physical and mental health.
The findings are also important because many people are interested in eating plans such as time-restricted eating and intermittent fasting. While these approaches may benefit some people, scientists still need more research to understand how they affect older adults.
This study suggests that paying attention to when older adults eat, not just what they eat, may help detect health problems earlier and support healthier aging.
If you care about wellness, please read studies about how ultra-processed foods and red meat influence your longevity, and why seafood may boost healthy aging.
For more health information, please see recent studies that olive oil may help you live longer, and vitamin D could help lower the risk of autoimmune diseases.
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