Probiotics as a therapeutic strategy in obesity and overweight: a systematic review

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#adolescent #adult #aged #body-weight #fatty-acids

Probiotics as a therapeutic strategy in obesity and overweight: a systematic review

Tomé-Castro et al., 2021 | Benef Microbes | Meta Analysis

Citation

Tomé-Castro X M, Rodriguez-Arrastia M, ... Roman P. Probiotics as a therapeutic strategy in obesity and overweight: a systematic review. Benef Microbes. 2021-Feb-24;12(1):5-15. doi:10.3920/BM2020.0111

Abstract

Obesity and overweight are two of the most health challenges with an increasing prevalence in recent years, in which several complications have been identified to have a high impact in patients' health conditions. In this vein, an increasing interest in the gut microbiota has emerged as a target for therapeutic strategies in obesity and overweight due to its direct relation with the aforementioned health conditions and complications. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of probiotics as a therapeutic strategy in the management of obesity and overweight. A systematic review of randomised controlled trials was carried out in 6 databases until May 2019 to assess the use of probiotics in obesity and overweight patients. The Jadad Scale was used to assess the quality of the clinical trials. Twenty-three clinical trials published between 2000 and 2019 met the inclusion criteria. The role of probiotics in reducing body mass index and weight as well as changing the visceral abdominal fat area, waist and hip circumference were shown in 14 of 23 trials (60.87%); 14 trials (60.87%) showed changes on patients' fatty acids and biomarkers; and 4 trials (17.39%) studied the role of the gut microbiota in obese and overweight patients. Some probiotics strains are shown to be effective in reducing body mass index and hip circumference. This review provides evidence of successful results in weight loss using probiotic groups.

Key Findings

This review provides evidence of successful results in weight loss using probiotic groups.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 23
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Body Weight
  • Fatty Acids
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity
  • Overweight
  • Probiotics
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Weight Loss
  • Young Adult

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: probiotics-obesity

Provenance

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