Effects of Calcium Supplementation on Body Weight and Adiposity in Overweight and Obese Adults

A Randomized Trial

  1. Jack A. Yanovski, MD, PhD;
  2. Shamik J. Parikh, MD;
  3. Lisa B. Yanoff, MD;
  4. Blakeley I. Denkinger, MPH, RD;
  5. Karim A. Calis, PharmD, MPH;
  6. James C. Reynolds, MD;
  7. Nancy G. Sebring, MEd, RD; and
  8. Teresa McHugh, RN
  1. From National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.

    Abstract

    Background: Some data suggest that increasing calcium intake may help prevent weight gain.

    Objective: To test the hypothesis that calcium supplementation can prevent weight gain in persons who are overweight or obese.

    Design: Randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Randomization was computer-generated, and allocation was assigned by pharmacy personnel who prepared intervention and placebo capsules. Participants, providers, and those who assessed outcomes were blinded to study group assignment.

    Setting: Single research center.

    Participants: 340 overweight (body mass index [BMI], 25 to <30 kg/m2) and obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) adults (mean age, 38.8 years [SD, 10.5]).

    Intervention: Calcium carbonate (elemental calcium, 1500 mg/d) (n = 170) or placebo (n = 170) with meals for 2 years.

    Measurements: Changes in body weight and fat mass (primary outcomes).

    Results: Seventy-five percent of participants completed the trial (78% received calcium; 73% received placebo). There were no statistically or clinically significant differences between the calcium and placebo groups in change in body weight (difference, 0.02 kg [95% CI, −1.64 to 1.69 kg]; P = 0.98), BMI (difference, 0.32 kg/m2 [CI, −0.41 to 1.02 kg/m2]; P = 0.39), or body fat mass (difference, 0.39 kg [CI, −1.04 to 1.92 kg]; P = 0.55). Parathyroid hormone concentrations decreased in the calcium group compared with the placebo group (difference, −0.71 pmol/L [CI, −1.28 to −0.13 pmol/L]).

    Limitation: The study took place at a research center, and its sample was mostly women.

    Conclusion: Dietary supplementation with elemental calcium, 1500 mg/d, for 2 years had no statistically or clinically significant effects on weight in overweight and obese adults. Calcium supplementation is unlikely to have clinically significant efficacy as a preventive measure against weight gain in such patients.

    Primary Funding Source: Office of Dietary Supplements and Intramural Research Program of the National Institutes of Health.

    Article and Author Information

    • Note: Dr. Yanovski, Ms. Denkinger, and Ms. Sebring are Commissioned Officers in the U.S. Public Health Service.

    • Acknowledgment: The authors thank the participants for their involvement in the trial. They also thank research assistants Marni Edelman, Amanda Spitalnik, and Carolyn Menzie for their excellent work as project coordinators for the study.

    • Grant Support: By the Intramural Research Program of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health (grant Z01-HD-000641) (Dr. Yanovski), and the Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health (grant OD-2067) (Dr. Yanovski).

    • Potential Financial Conflicts of Interest: Grants received: J.A. Yanovski and S.J. Parikh (National Institutes of Health).

    • Reproducible Research Statement: Study protocol and data set: Available from Dr. Yanovski (e-mail, jy15i{at}nih.gov). Statistical code: Not available.

    • Requests for Single Reprints: Jack A. Yanovski, MD, PhD, National Institutes of Health, Hatfield Clinical Research Center, 9000 Rockville Pike, Room 1-3330, Bethesda, MD 20892-1103; e-mail, jy15i{at}nih.gov.

    • Current Author Addresses: Drs. Yanovski, Yanoff, Calis, and Reynolds; Ms. Denkinger; Ms. Sebring; and Ms. McHugh: National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Room 1-3330, Bethesda, MD 20892-1103.

    • Dr. Parikh: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, 1800 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803.

    • Author Contributions: Conception and design: J.A. Yanovski, S.J. Parikh, K.A. Calis, N.G. Sebring.

    • Analysis and interpretation of the data: J.A. Yanovski, L.B. Yanoff, J.C. Reynolds, N.G. Sebring.

    • Drafting of the article: J.A. Yanovski, L.B. Yanoff.

    • Critical revision of the article for important intellectual content: J.A. Yanovski, S.J. Parikh, L.B. Yanoff, B.I. Denkinger, K.A. Calis, J.C. Reynolds, N.G. Sebring, T. McHugh.

    • Final approval of the article: J.A. Yanovski, S.J. Parikh, L.B. Yanoff, B.I. Denkinger, K.A. Calis, J.C. Reynolds, N.G. Sebring, T. McHugh.

    • Provision of study materials or patients: J.A. Yanovski, K.A. Calis, J.C. Reynolds, N.G. Sebring.

    • Statistical expertise: J.A. Yanovski.

    • Obtaining of funding: J.A. Yanovski.

    • Administrative, technical, or logistic support: J.A. Yanovski, B.I. Denkinger, K.A. Calis, J.C. Reynolds, N.G. Sebring, T. McHugh.

    • Collection and assembly of data: J.A. Yanovski, S.J. Parikh, L.B. Yanoff, B.I. Denkinger, K.A. Calis, J.C. Reynolds, N.G. Sebring, T. McHugh.

    • ClinicalTrials.gov registration number: NCT00030238.

    Summary for Patients

    • Summaries for Patients:Can Calcium Pills Help People Lose Weight? Ann Intern Med June 16, 2009 150:I-24; doi:10.1059/0003-4819-150-12-200906160-00001
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    1. Ann Intern Med June 16, 2009 vol. 150 no. 12 821-829
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