Vitamin D supplementation and body weight status: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#adiposity #age-factors #aged #body-composition #body-mass-index

Vitamin D supplementation and body weight status: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Pathak et al., 2014 | Obes Rev | Meta Analysis

Citation

Pathak K, Soares M J, ... Hallett J. Vitamin D supplementation and body weight status: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Obes Rev. 2014-Jun;15(6):528-37. doi:10.1111/obr.12162

Abstract

Vitamin D is anticipated to have many extra-skeletal health benefits. We questioned whether supplementation with the vitamin influenced body weight and composition. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted on high-quality, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that had supplemented vitamin D without imposing any caloric restriction. Eighteen trials reporting either body weight, body mass index (BMI), fat mass (FM), percentage fat mass (%FM) or lean body mass (LBM) met our criteria. Twelve studies provided the required data for the meta-analysis. Vitamin D supplementation did not influence the standardized mean difference (SMD) for body weight, FM, %FM or LBM. A small but non-significant decrease in BMI (SMD = -0.097, 95% confidence interval: [-0.210, 0.016], P = 0.092) was observed. Meta-regression confirmed that neither the absolute vitamin D status achieved nor its change from baseline influenced the SMD of any obesity measure. However, increasing age of the subjects predicted a shift in the SMD for FM towards the placebo treatment, whereas a greater percentage of women in these studies favoured a decrease in FM following vitamin D. Vitamin D supplementation did not decrease measures of adiposity in the absence of caloric restriction. A potential confounding by age and gender was encountered.

Key Findings

A potential confounding by age and gender was encountered.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Adiposity
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Body Composition
  • Body Mass Index
  • Body Weight
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Placebos
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Sex Factors
  • Vitamin D

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: vitamin-d

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09