Meal timing trajectories in older adults and their associations with morbidity, genetic profiles, and mortality

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Paper Summary

Conflicts of Interest

Identified Weaknesses

Rating Explanation

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Paper Summary

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Later Breakfast Linked to Higher Mortality Risk in Older Adults: A 20-Year Study

This 20-year longitudinal study of nearly 3,000 older adults found that meal timing shifts with age, with breakfast and dinner trending later. Later breakfast time was associated with increased morbidity and a higher risk of mortality, suggesting it may be a simple health marker in older adults. The study also explored the relationship between meal timing, genetic predispositions, and health behaviors.

Possible Conflicts of Interest

None identified

Identified Weaknesses

Observational Study

The study's observational design limits causal inferences. While associations between later breakfast and mortality were found, it doesn't prove causation. Other factors could be at play.

Self-Reported Data

Reliance on self-reported meal times and health behaviors introduces potential recall bias and inaccuracies, affecting the reliability of findings.

Limited Generalizability

The study population consisted of community-dwelling older adults of primarily British European ancestry, limiting the generalizability of findings to other demographics and cultural contexts.

Lack of Dietary Details

The study lacked detailed information on diet composition, portion sizes, and nutrient intake, which could confound the relationship between meal timing and health outcomes.

Potential Confounding Factors

While the study adjusted for some confounders like socioeconomic status and sleep, residual confounding from unmeasured lifestyle factors, such as physical activity or specific dietary habits, cannot be ruled out.

Attrition and Dropout

The long follow-up period (20 years) likely resulted in participant attrition and dropout, potentially introducing bias if those who dropped out had different meal timing patterns and health outcomes compared to those who remained.

Rating Explanation

This is a well-conducted longitudinal study with a large sample size and long follow-up period, providing valuable insights into the complex relationship between meal timing, health, and mortality in older adults. While the observational design and reliance on self-reported data are limitations, the study's strengths and significant findings warrant a good rating. The comprehensive exploration of potential confounders and the use of genetic data further strengthen the study.

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