Getty ImagesMost likely, you've heard of the diet rule "don't skip breakfast, if you want to lose weight" but now, a new study suggests you may be better off ditching the age-old recommendation.
According to Today, a new study from Columbia University challenges both the notion that you shouldn't skip breakfast as well as whether it's best to eat first thing in the morning if you're trying to lose weight.
Per the report, researches asked participants to place themselves in one of three groups: one group ate oatmeal in the morning, another ate Frosted Flakes and the third skipped breakfast entirely. Citing the study, Today reports that the only overweight people to lose weight were those who skipped breakfast.
"The research right now is a little bit uncertain in terms of skipping versus eating breakfast and obesity and body weight," Andrew Brown from the Nutrition Obesity Research Center at the University of Alabama Birmingham told Today.
Still, people who are trying to shed pounds should remember that a number of factors, including exercise, body weight and daily calorie count, contribute to weight loss.
"There are many factors that impact weight gain and maybe skipping breakfast or eating breakfast is one of them, but it's not the only one," Madelyn Fernstrom, NBC News Health and Nutrition editor, added.
In an article published in September, WebMd says that it's "not a good idea" to skip breakfast in order to lose weight because it can "backfire."
"Skipping meals, especially breakfast, can actually make weight control more difficult," the article states. However, the report later adds, "Other studies show that weight management can be equally effective without breakfast."