It might be regarded as the most important meal of the day, but skipping breakfast is the best way to tackle Australia's epidemic of obesity and fatty liver disease, new research suggests.

The study, conducted by Monash University, concluded that watching the clock rather than counting kilojoules was key to weight loss.

Rescheduling the first meal of the day: New study suggests that skipping breakfast is the key to weight loss. Credit:Fiona Morris

Thirty-two patients who suffered from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which affects more than 5.5 million Australians, fasted and took in no kilojoules between 8pm and noon the following day.

All patients lost weight over the initial 12-week period, while patients who fasted also reduced their waist circumference, which, according to experts, is one of the ways to measure a decrease in liver damage.