Effect of vitamin D supplementation alone or with calcium on adiposity measures: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#adiposity #body-mass-index #body-weight #calcium #dietary-supplements

Effect of vitamin D supplementation alone or with calcium on adiposity measures: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Chandler et al., 2015 | Nutr Rev | Meta Analysis

Citation

Chandler Paulette D, Wang Lu, ... Song Yiqing. Effect of vitamin D supplementation alone or with calcium on adiposity measures: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutr Rev. 2015-Sep;73(9):577-93. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuv012

Abstract

CONTEXT: The independent or interactive effects of vitamin D and calcium on adiposity remain inconclusive. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess whether vitamin D and calcium supplements cause changes in adiposity. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched for literature published from 1966 to March 2014. STUDY SELECTION: A systematic search was conducted for randomized clinical trials with ≥ 50 participants aged ≥ 18 years at baseline who had received at least 12 weeks of treatment. Among the inclusion criteria were supplementation with vitamin D with or without calcium and measurement of adiposity (weight, body mass index [BMI], and/or fat mass). DATA EXTRACTION: The primary endpoints assessed were changes in weight, BMI, or fat mass. DATA SYNTHESIS: Of 953 trials identified, 26 randomized clinical trials (n = 12, vitamin D alone; n = 10, vitamin D plus calcium versus calcium control; n = 4, vitamin D plus calcium versus placebo) with a total of 42,430 participants (median duration, 12 months) met the inclusion criteria. When compared with placebo, vitamin D supplementation had no significant effect on BMI (weighted mean difference [WMD], -0.06 kg/m(2); 95% confidence interval [95%CI], -0.14 to 0.03), weight (WMD, -0.05 kg; 95%CI, -0.32 to 0.23), or fat mass (WMD, -0.43 kg; 95%CI, -1.69 to 0.84). Likewise, no significant reduction in BMI (WMD, 0.02 kg/m(2); 95%CI, -0.11 to 0.14), weight (WMD, 0.12 kg; 95%CI, -0.24 to 0.49), or fat mass (WMD, 0.12 kg; 95%CI, -0.22 to 0.45) was observed in participants who received vitamin D plus calcium compared with those who received calcium control. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation with vitamin D showed no effect on adiposity measures in adults.

Key Findings

Supplementation with vitamin D showed no effect on adiposity measures in adults.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 12
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Adiposity
  • Body Mass Index
  • Body Weight
  • Calcium
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Humans
  • Obesity
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamins

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: calcium-weight

Provenance

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