The difficulty with adapting these studies is that culture can have a great influence in meal frequency and timing.<p>In America, the typical schedule is to have a large breakfast, get in your car to work, have a light&#x2F;medium lunch, then drive back home for a large dinner with the family.<p>When I lived with my family in Italy, where cities are denser and families are closer, things were completely different: breakfast was espresso, and eating anything more than a croissant was rare. Around 1 the country shuts down with an audible <i>clank</i> as everyone goes home for a huge lunch with the family. After work is dinner, but it tends to be much smaller than lunch.<p>It can also vary depending on the part of Italy. Dinners were much larger in inland Rome than coastal Gaeta, although Romans tend to stay out much later, so it makes sense to have the extra calories.<p>Ultimately, it&#x27;s an optimization problem that will never be solved. Even if there is an optimal meal method, most people will reject it because their personality&#x2F;culture values pleasure above efficiency. What&#x27;s the point of being healthy if you&#x27;re not happy?