Enhanced protein intake on maintaining muscle mass, strength, and physical function in adults with overweight/obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Weight loss in individuals with obesity and overweight leads to metabolic and health benefits but also poses the risk of muscle mass reduction. This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials aims to determine the initial protein amount necessary for achieving weight loss while maintaining muscle mass, strength, and physical function in adults with overweight and obesity.

METHODS

Relevant literature databases, including Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (Medline), Excerpta Medica (Embase), the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINHAL), and Web of Science, were electronically searched up to 15 March 2023. We examined the effect of additional protein intake on muscle mass, strength, and physical function in adults with overweight or obesity targeting weight loss. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool. Results were synthesized using standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) via a random-effects model.

RESULTS

Forty-seven studies (n = 3218) were included. In the muscle mass analysis, twenty-eight trials with 1989 participants were encompassed. Results indicated that increased protein intake significantly prevents muscle mass decline in adults with overweight or obesity aiming for weight loss (SMD 0.75; 95% CI 0.41 to 1.10; p < 0.001). Enhanced protein intake did not significantly prevent decreases in muscle strength and physical function. An intake exceeding 1.3 g/kg/day is anticipated to increase muscle mass, while an intake below 1.0 g/kg/day is associated with a higher risk of muscle mass decline. The risk of bias in studies regarding muscle mass ranged from low to high.

CONCLUSIONS

Adults with overweight or obesity and aim for weight loss can more effectively retain muscle mass through higher protein intake, as opposed to no protein intake enhancement.