The study by US researcher Dr Daniela Jakubowicz tested two diets in 96 obese and physically inactive women:
The control diet was a low carbohydrate diet of 1,085 calories a day mostly as protein and fat. Breakfast was the smallest meal at 290 calories and 7 g of carbohydrates.
The "Big Breakfast Diet" involved more calories (1,240) with less fat and more carbohydrates and protein. Breakfast was 610 calories with 58 g of carbohydrates. Lunch and dinner were 395 and 235 calories respectively.
At four months the low carb dieters were ahead having lost 28 pounds to the 23 of big breakfasters.
But at eight months low carb dieters had put 18 pounds back on while the big breakfasters continued to lose weight, on average 16.5 pounds each. Big breakfasters lost 20% of their total body weight versus 5% for the low carb dieters.
Comment: Never suggest we haven't been pushing regular, healthy breakfasts. This is compelling support.