What is healthier: One big meal or three small meals a day?

Many people who wish to correct weight problems change eating habits, perhaps cutting down meals to one meal a day. Some have said that eating one meal a day is healthier. But others have said that cutting back food willsend the body into "starvation mode" and it will begin to retain food, and instead of losing weight, one begins to gain even more. So, which is healthier, one big meal a day or three small meals a day? What about fasting? Does fasting (choosing to not eat a meal) help the body or hurt the body? How should one fast?.