Daijiworld Media Network – Tokyo

Tokyo, Nov 7: Your mother’s advice about eating meals on time might have been right all along. A new Japanese study has found that people who skip breakfast and eat dinner late at night face a higher risk of developing osteoporosis — a condition that weakens bones and makes them more prone to fractures.

The findings, published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society, highlight how irregular eating habits can silently harm bone health.

Dr Hiroki Nakajima of Nara Medical University, who led the study, said, “We found that skipping breakfast and having late dinners were associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis. These unhealthy eating habits often coincide with other risk factors such as physical inactivity, smoking, and insufficient sleep.”

The study analysed health data from over 9 lakh adults in Japan and found that poor lifestyle habits — including smoking, alcohol use, lack of exercise, and disrupted meal timings — were strongly linked to higher chances of osteoporotic fractures involving the hip, forearm, spine, and upper arm.

Experts say that maintaining timely meals and an overall balanced lifestyle is key to protecting bone strength. “Preventing osteoporosis requires not just good nutrition but also a comprehensive approach to healthier daily routines,” Dr Nakajima added.