• Jack A Yanovski, Shamik J Parikh, Lisa B Yanoff, Blakeley I Denkinger, Karim A Calis, James C Reynolds, Nancy G Sebring, and Teresa McHugh.
• National Institutes of Health, Hatfield Clinical Research Center, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1103, USA. jy15i@nih.gov
• Ann. Intern. Med. 2009 Jun 16; 150 (12): 821-9, W145-6.

BackgroundSome data suggest that increasing calcium intake may help prevent weight gain.ObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that calcium supplementation can prevent weight gain in persons who are overweight or obese.DesignRandomized, 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.SettingSingle research center.Participants340 overweight (body mass index [BMI], 25 to <30 kg/m(2)) and obese (BMI > or =30 kg/m(2)) adults (mean age, 38.8 years [SD, 10.5]).InterventionCalcium carbonate (elemental calcium, 1500 mg/d) (n = 170) or placebo (n = 170) with meals for 2 years.MeasurementsChanges in body weight and fat mass (primary outcomes).ResultsSeventy-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/m(2) [CI, -0.41 to 1.02 kg/m(2)]; 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]).LimitationThe study took place at a research center, and its sample was mostly women.ConclusionDietary 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.

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