What is the Latest on Calcium or Dairy Products on Anthropometric Measurements or Body Composition?
The Question
Does calcium supplementation or increased intakes of dairy products affect anthropometric measures or body composition in adults?Key Practice Point #1: Calcium Supplementation and Weight Loss
A 2016 systematic review and meta-analysis of 33 RCTs from longitudinal and cohort studies concluded that although the body of literature as a whole has not shown a clear association between calcium supplementation and weight loss, there does appear to be a link in individuals with a BMI <25 kg/m2 and in men, premenopausal women and women >60 years. The most common dose studied was 1000-1600 mg/day for at least eight weeks.
Grade of Evidence B
Key Practice Point #2: Dairy Consumption, Body Composition and Body Weight
Recommendation
Although dairy consumption has not been associated with body weight, waist circumference (WC) or weight gain in every population, the effect of dairy consumption on body composition is dependent on dietary context. Dairy consumption leads to weight loss, decreased body fat and decreased waist circumference when it is included in the context of an energy-restricted diet. However, adding dairy foods to ad libitum intake may increase body weight and have no effect on body fat or WC. Lean mass is not affected by dairy intake, regardless of energy intake.
Results imply that considering energy balance remains important and that substituting some calories for dairy may aid weight loss during energy restriction, at least in the short term. However, adding dairy to ad libitum intakes (either to neutral energy balance or to a positive energy balance) does not appear to result in weight loss.
Evidence Summary
A 2018 systematic review and meta-analysis of 37 RCTs (n=184,802) found that dairy intake decreased body weight, body fat and WC when paired with an energy-restricted diet. However, body weight increased with dairy consumption when energy was not restricted, and body fat and WC were not affected. Lean mass was not significantly affected by dairy consumption regardless of energy restriction.
Grade of Evidence B
A 2019 systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of 12 (n=195,764) prospective observational studies concluded that there was no evidence of an association between dairy consumption and elevated BMI (>25 kg/m2), elevated WC (definition not provided) or weight gain (increase in either BMI or WC during the study period).
Grade of Evidence C
Remarks
Appropriate treatment blinding is extremely challenging with dairy product interventions as it is difficult to blind subjects to the fact that they are drinking milk or eating yogurt and cheese.
Key Practice Point #3: Whey Protein, Body Weight and Fat Mass
Recommendation
Consuming 20 to 75 grams of whey protein daily for a short-term period (two weeks to 15 months) can contribute to decreased body weight and fat mass when compared to an equivalent protein diet in adults with BMI >25 kg/m2. The effect of whey protein supplementation on waist circumference (WC) is not clear.
Evidence Summary
A 2018 systematic review and meta-analysis of nine RCTs (n=455) found that consuming 20 to 75 grams of whey protein supplements daily for two to 15 months decreased body weight, fat mass and lean mass but had no significant effect on WC in adults with BMI >25 kg/m2 compared to placebo or control. However, when only studies that used DEXA to measure body composition were included, WC was significantly decreased with whey protein consumption.
Grade of Evidence B
To see the full practice question, including the Evidence Statements, Remarks, Comments and References, click here.
June 2022 ·
Volume 12
(6)