Can diet-induced weight loss improve iron homoeostasis in patients with obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#diet-reducing #homeostasis #humans #iron #obesity

Can diet-induced weight loss improve iron homoeostasis in patients with obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Teng et al., 2020 | Obes Rev | Meta Analysis

Citation

Teng I-Chun, Tseng Sung-Hui, ... Chang Jung-Su. Can diet-induced weight loss improve iron homoeostasis in patients with obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Obes Rev. 2020-Dec;21(12):e13080. doi:10.1111/obr.13080

Abstract

Despite the increasing worldwide prevalence of obesity and iron deficiency (ID), there are still no guidelines on how to treat and manage obesity-related ID. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate whether weight loss can re-establish iron homoeostasis among subjects with unhealthy weight (overweight [OW] or obesity). PubMed, Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were systemically searched for studies that compared the iron status before and after a weight-loss intervention. A random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled and subgroup weighted mean differences (WMDs) of iron biomarkers. In total, 879 subjects were pooled across 14 studies. Improved haemoglobin was found in longitudinal studies (WMD = 2.50 g/dl, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.88, 4.12 g/dl, I2 = 14%) but not in randomized controlled trials or after being stratified by dietary programmes. Significantly increased transferrin saturation was observed in pooled (WMD = 1.68%, 95% CI: 0.97%, 2.39%, I2 = 44%) and subgroup analyses. A meta-regression showed that changes in the iron status were positively correlated with changes in the body mass index (BMI) and the intervention duration but negatively correlated with the baseline body weight/BMI, age, gender and a standard hypocaloric diet. Our data suggested that in spite of energy restrictions, weight loss may help re-establish iron homoeostasis in people who are OW or obese.

Key Findings

Our data suggested that in spite of energy restrictions, weight loss may help re-establish iron homoeostasis in people who are OW or obese.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population unhealthy weight
Sample Size 879
Age Range See abstract
Condition deficiency

MeSH Terms

  • Diet, Reducing
  • Homeostasis
  • Humans
  • Iron
  • Obesity
  • Overweight
  • Weight Loss

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: iron

Provenance

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