Plus, I’m of the school of thought that calories should be counted on a 24 hour basis. I do think it’s easier to control hunger if you eat more often and smaller meals, but if you eat unrelated to hunger, which many adult Americans do, then that’s out the window anyway.
I don’t buy into the whole bit about you burn more calories during the day, so calories eaten during the day will burn off faster. The main problem with overweight night eaters is they are eating extra calories. I’m not a big night eater, but I’m still over the weight I’d like to be, but it’s from eating extra calories at most meals, and too much fatty foods (more calories).
I do think being hungry makes you less able to function well. More irritable, distracted, weaker, so for that reason breakfast can be helpful, but I think lunch is even more important for that.