AWM: High Calcium (2006)

AWM: High Calcium (2006)

High Calcium

  • Intervention
    In adults, how effective (in terms of client adherence and weight loss and maintenance) is the High Calcium (Dairy) diet?
    • Conclusion

      Several studies report that total daily intakes of calcium below recommended levels (1,000 mg per day for adults ages 19-50 years and 1,200 mg per day for adults over age 51) are associated with increased body weight, body fat, BMI, waist circumference and relative risk of obesity in white and black adults. However, it is unclear if this is a result of a poor overall diet.

      In one cohort study, no association between these variables and recommended levels of calcium intake was found. Several randomized controlled trials based on levels of total daily calcium above recommended levels have shown conflicting results. Four trials have shown a loss of body weight and body fat (especially from the trunk region of the body) both in the absence of energy restriction and with modest energy restriction (-500 kcal per day), while two trials report no significant differences in weight loss or maintenance.

      Further studies establishing a causal relationship between total daily calcium intake, calcium supplementation or dairy intake and weight management are needed.

    • Grade: III
      • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
      • Grade II is Fair;
      • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
      • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
      • Grade V is Not Assignable.
      • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
      • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
      • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
      • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
      • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.