Adolescents who skip breakfast face higher risk of anxiety and depression

Amid growing concern over adolescent mental health, a new review has found a consistent link between skipping breakfast and increased risk of anxiety and depression in teenagers. As the prevalence of psychological distress among youth continues to escalate globally, ensuring regular and nutritious breakfast consumption could become a low-cost, high-impact intervention.

The study, titled “The Association Between Skipping Breakfast and Anxiety and Depression in Adolescents—A Scoping Review” and published in the journal Children, the review synthesizes a decade of research to evaluate whether omitting breakfast correlates with elevated emotional disorders among adolescents.

What is the link between breakfast skipping and mental health?

The review examined 12 studies conducted between 2014 and 2024, selected from an initial pool of 1671 publications sourced through PubMed, ProQuest, and EBSCOhost databases. Using the Joanna Briggs Institute framework for scoping reviews, the authors screened studies based on keywords such as "skipping breakfast," "risk," "anxiety," "depression," and "adolescents."

Of the 12 studies included, nine were cross-sectional in design, one was a prospective cohort, one a secondary data analysis, and one a systematic review with meta-analysis. Eleven of the twelve studies reported a statistically significant association between skipping breakfast and increased risk of depression and/or anxiety among adolescents. Only one study found no such correlation, reinforcing the prevailing trend across the literature.

The findings suggest that breakfast omission may play a crucial role in both the onset and persistence of psychological distress during adolescence. The authors attribute this to the potential impact of nutrient deficiency on brain function, hormonal balance, and emotional regulation, all of which are essential during developmental years.

Why are adolescents particularly vulnerable?

Adolescents are uniquely sensitive to physiological and psychosocial stressors due to hormonal changes, academic pressures, social dynamics, and the transition into adulthood. When coupled with poor dietary habits, particularly the frequent skipping of breakfast, these stressors may exacerbate mental health issues.

The review highlights evidence suggesting that nutrient intake in the early part of the day is critical for stabilizing mood, supporting cognitive function, and regulating cortisol levels. Without this metabolic baseline, adolescents may be more prone to emotional instability, which can manifest as anxiety or depressive symptoms.

Importantly, the association between breakfast skipping and mental health was observed regardless of gender, socioeconomic status, or geographic region, reinforcing the universality of the phenomenon. This consistency points to breakfast consumption as a potentially powerful lever for mental health promotion that transcends demographic boundaries.

What are the public health implications?

While the review does not establish a direct cause-effect relationship, its findings raise important questions about preventive health strategies and community-level interventions. Given the modifiable nature of breakfast consumption, the authors advocate for school- and community-based initiatives that promote morning meal routines among adolescents.

Such programs could take the form of breakfast clubs, education campaigns about nutrition and mental health, and policy-level efforts to ensure food security for students. In many countries, adolescents from low-income backgrounds are disproportionately affected by both food insecurity and mental health problems, making breakfast promotion a dual-purpose intervention.

The study also calls for more longitudinal and experimental research to better understand the directionality and mechanisms underlying the observed association. Establishing causality could inform clinical guidelines and lead to the integration of dietary counseling in adolescent mental health services.

Moreover, the researchers stress the importance of involving parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals in shaping healthier morning routines and identifying early signs of emotional distress. Nutrition and mental health should not be viewed in isolation; instead, they are deeply interwoven aspects of adolescent well-being that demand holistic attention.