Indication: Body weight in young girls

Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, January 2006;83(1):18-23.

Research: Researchers examined whether calcium supplementation affects body weight and body fat in young girls and whether a relation exists between habitual calcium intake and body weight and body fat. To test this, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention study was conducted in 110 young girls. The subjects were randomly assigned to receive 500 mg of calcium per day as calcium carbonate or placebo for one year. Two groups of girls were selected according to habitual calcium intake from a large group; one group consumed 1000–1304 mg per day (40th–60th percentile; n = 60) and the other group consumed <713 mg per day (<20th percentile; n = 50). Height, body weight, body fat and calcium intake were measured at baseline and after 1 year.

Results: At baseline, a significant negative correlation was observed between habitual dietary calcium intake and percentage of body fat. However, calcium supplementation had no effect on height, body weight or percentage body fat. Habitual dietary calcium intake was inversely associated with body fat, but a low-dose calcium supplement had no effect on body weight, height, or body fat over 1 year in young girls. Researcher said it is possible that the effect of calcium on body weight is only exerted if it is ingested as part of a meal, or the effect may be due to other ingredients in dairy products, and that calcium may simply be a marker for a high dairy intake.