A large study of more than 3,000 young people in Hong Kong reveals a notable link between skipping breakfast and higher depressive symptoms. The researchers tracked daily routines among youths aged 15 to 24 and found that breakfast skippers reported greater impulsivity and more pronounced depressive symptoms, while anxiety showed a weaker association.
Nutrition and mental health experts have long emphasized the value of a morning meal. This study is among the largest to connect breakfast habits with mental health indicators in Asian youths. For Thai readers, where breakfast stretches from rice porridge and noodle soups to fried snacks, the findings illuminate how traditional eating patterns interact with emotional well-being—an issue gaining urgency as busy lifestyles spread across Thailand.
Data from the HK-YES survey, Hong Kong’s first large-scale study of youths living in households, included 3,154 participants surveyed between 2019 and 2022. About 85 percent reported regular breakfasts, while 15 percent consistently skipped. Those who skipped breakfast showed higher impulsivity, especially in attention and self-control, and more pronounced depressive symptoms. Anxiety levels were only modestly affected.
Researchers caution that the association, while statistically detectable, is small in practical terms due to the large sample size. Lead authors suggest that promoting regular breakfast could form part of broader lifestyle interventions for mental health and be considered in public health planning.
Beyond mood, breakfast skippers reported slightly lower social and work functioning and about one extra day per month of reduced productivity related to mental health issues. The findings align with broader research linking morning meals to cognitive performance and emotional regulation.
Thai experts see relevance for local practice. A leading nutritionist from a Bangkok university notes that school breakfast programs have shown benefits for energy, concentration, and behavior. Public health officials point to growing evidence supporting breakfast as part of adolescent well-being strategies in Thailand.
Thai breakfast culture varies: light rice soups, fried dough sticks, and savory bowls are common, while urban youth increasingly opt for convenience foods or skip breakfast due to late-night studying or early commutes. Such patterns may heighten vulnerability to mood-related challenges highlighted by the Hong Kong study.
Despite the large sample, researchers emphasize that the study does not prove causation, and cultural differences may limit direct translation to Thai youth. Thailand’s evolving social landscape calls for local research to understand how breakfast routines relate to mental health in Thai contexts.
Historical Thai data already show benefits of breakfast: regular morning meals correlate with better school attendance and exam performance, alongside lower reports of sadness or fatigue. As urbanization and digital lifestyles accelerate, maintaining a simple breakfast habit could serve as a practical mental health support for students and young workers.
Experts advocate integrating breakfast with wider well-being initiatives. Policymakers and educators should consider breakfast programs alongside stress management, sleep hygiene, and physical activity as part of comprehensive student support. Future Thai studies should explore similar links within the country’s diverse culinary and social settings.
Practical guidance for Thai readers is clear: establish a reliable morning meal routine, even a simple one. Parents, teachers, and workplaces can boost healthy eating by offering easy breakfast options and allowing time for morning meals. Youths should seek support if mood or attention problems persist.
In summary, while breakfast may seem like a small habit, it could relate to meaningful differences in emotional resilience and daily functioning for young people. Keeping a regular breakfast habit offers a practical, culturally mindful approach to supporting mental health in Thailand.