The relationship between eating in the morning (breakfast) and insulin resistance in a group of the Iraqi population

Human cells primarily utilize glucose as an energy source, and its uptake into cells is largely dependent on insulin. Therefore, insulin signaling is crucial for glucose homeostasis in insulin-sensitive tissues. Disruption of various molecular pathways can lead to a decrease in insulin sensitivity, a condition known as insulin resistance (IR). In this study, we focus on IR and examine how its markers respond to the presence or absence of breakfast intake, regardless of the nutritional composition of the meals consumed. The study was performed on 40 healthy Iraqi participants (both females and males) aged range (20-50 years with) a BMI of 21-35 kg/m2 recruited into this study and divided into two groups, the first group (20 participants) took normal breakfast, the second one that skips the meal. Anthropometric parameters and biochemical parameters (fasting glucose level, and serum insulin level) were measured, Index of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was determined. We found that levels of fasting blood glucose (85.6±4.4 mg/dl), serum insulin (5.61±1.69 IU/mL), and HOMA-IR (1.18±0.37) of persons who eat in the morning showed a highly significant decrease (p<0.01) in comparison to the breakfast skippers (97.8±8.4 mg/dl, 14.20±2.82 IU/mL and 3.46±0.83, respectively). Also the BMI was reliably higher (p<0.01) among the breakfast skipping group (33.4±4.3 vs 23.1±3.4 kg/ m²). The study supports the hypothesis that breakfast eating is associated with lower insulin resistance. However, the non-randomized sampling and the significant BMI differences between groups limit the ability to isolate breakfast as an independent factor. Further studies with matched cohorts or randomized controlled designs are needed to confirm these associations and to clarify causality. Nonetheless, the findings reinforce the potential metabolic risks of irregular eating patterns and support public health messaging promoting regular, balanced meals.