Breakfast Timing and Frequency as a Predictor of Incident Coronary Artery Disease in Older Adults:The Cardiovascular Health Study

Abstract

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of disease burden worldwide, particularly in older adults. Previous studies indicate that the timing and frequency of meals, particularly breakfast, may have metabolic consequences leading to risk of CAD. This thesis project characterized a sample of 5,888 American men and women aged 65 years and older (Cardiovascular Health Study 1987-2015) based on their breakfast timing and frequency. Fine-Grey subdistribution hazard ratio models were used to quantify the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and CAD based on participants’ breakfast timing and frequency while accounting for the competing risks and relevant covariables. Breakfast timing and frequency may be markers for a pattern of demographic and lifestyle risk factors for CAD in older adults. Overall, breakfast timing was not associated with risk of incident MI/CAD in this cohort. However, in men only, eating breakfast daily was associated with a modest increase in MI/CAD risk.