The effect of folic acid supplementation on body weight and body mass index: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

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#female #humans #body-mass-index #dietary-supplements #randomized-controlled-trials-as-topic

The effect of folic acid supplementation on body weight and body mass index: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Jafari et al., 2023 | Clin Nutr ESPEN | Meta Analysis

Citation

Jafari Alireza, Gholizadeh Esmaeel, ... Sohrabi Zahra. The effect of folic acid supplementation on body weight and body mass index: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2023-Feb;53:206-213. doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2022.11.020

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Several trials have evaluated the effects of folate supplementation on obesity indices. However, their results were inconsistent. Therefore, the current meta-analysis was conducted to summarize data from available randomized clinical trials (RCTs) about the impact of folate supplementation on weight and body mass index (BMI). METHOD: Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and ISI web of science were searched to identify relevant articles up to December 2020. The effect sizes were expressed as weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using the random-effects model. RESULTS: Pooled data from nine studies showed that folic acid supplementation did not change body weight (WMD: -0.16 kg, 95%CI: -0.47 to 0.16, P = 0.32) and BMI (WMD: -0.23 kg/m2, 95%CI: -0.49 to 0.03, P = 0.31), but there was significant heterogeneity between the included studies for BMI (I2 = 90.1%, P < 0.001). Moreover, subgroup analyses in level of homocysteine and health status indicated significant effect of folic acid supplementation on BMI in those with homocysteine level ≥15 μmol/L (WMD: -0.17 kg/cm2, -0.33 to -0.01, p = 0.03) and in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (WMD: - 0.30kg/cm2, -0.54 to -0.06, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our outcomes demonstrated that folic acid improves BMI in those with homocysteine levels ≥15 μmol/L and women with PCOS.

Key Findings

Pooled data from nine studies showed that folic acid supplementation did not change body weight (WMD: -0.16 kg, 95%CI: -0.47 to 0.16, P = 0.32) and BMI (WMD: -0.23 kg/m2, 95%CI: -0.49 to 0.03, P = 0.31), but there was significant heterogeneity between the included studies for BMI (I2 = 90.1%, P < 0.001). Moreover, subgroup analyses in level of homocysteine and health status indicated significant effect of folic acid supplementation on BMI in those with homocysteine level ≥15 μmol/L (WMD: -0.17 k

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

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

MeSH Terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Body Mass Index
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Obesity
  • Folic Acid
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Evidence Classification

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

Provenance

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