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Meta-Analysis
. 2021 Nov 16;13(11):4099.
doi: 10.3390/nu13114099.

Effects of Plant-Based Diets on Weight Status in Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials

Grace Austin  1   2 , Jessica J A Ferguson  1   2 , Manohar L Garg  1   2
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Effects of Plant-Based Diets on Weight Status in Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials

Grace Austin et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Excessive adiposity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes (T2D), and dietary patterns are important determinants of weight status. Plant-based dietary patterns (PBDs) are known for their therapeutic effects on T2D. The aim is to systematically review RCTs to investigate the effects of various PBDs compared to regular meat-eating diets (RMDs), in individuals who normally consume a RMD on body weight, BMI, and waist circumference in T2D. RCTs investigating PBDs and body weight, BMI, WC for ≥6 weeks in adults with T2D since 1980 were eligible for inclusion. Seven trials (n = 269) were included in the meta-analysis using random-effects models and expressed as MD (95%Cls). Compared to RMDs, PBDs significantly lowered body weight (-2.35 kg, 95% CI: -3.51, -1.19, p < 0.001), BMI (-0.90 kg/m2, 95% CI: -1.42, -0.38, p = 0.001) and WC (-2.41 cm, 95% CI: -3.72, -1.09, p < 0.001). PBDs alone significantly reduced body weight by 5.1% (-4.95 kg, 95% CI: -7.34, -2.55, p < 0.001), BMI by 5.4% (-1.87 kg/m2, 95% CI: -2.78, -0.95, p < 0.001) and WC by 4.3%(-4.23, 95% CI: -6.38, -2.07, p < 0.001). Interventions not limiting energy intake led to a significant reduction in body weight (-2.54 kg, 95% CI: -4.16, -0.92, p < 0.005) and BMI (-0.91 kg/m2, 95% CI: -1.56, -0.25, p < 0.005). Trials ≥16 weeks had a pronounced reduction in body weight (-2.93 kg, 95% CI: -5.00, -0.87, p = 0.005) and BMI (-1.13 kg/m2, 95% CI: -1.89, -0.38, p < 0.005). These findings provide evidence for the implementation of PBDs for better management of central adiposity in individuals with T2D.

Keywords: BMI; lacto-ovo-vegetarian; pescatarian; pesco-vegetarian; plant-based diet; vegan; vegetarian; waist circumference; weight.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
PRISMA flow diagram of study selection.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Forest plots displaying difference in means (MD) and 95%Cls for the effect of PBDs compared to RMDs on (A) body weight (kg) [30,31,32,33,34,35,36], (B) BMI (kg/m2) [29,30,32,33,34], and (C) waist circumference (cm) [32,34].
Figure 3
Figure 3
Forrest plots displaying differences in means (MD) and 95% CI for the impact of energy intake of PBDs compared to RMDs on (A) body weight (kg) [29,30,31,32,33,34,35] and (B) BMI (kg/m2) [29,30,32,33,34].
Figure 4
Figure 4
Forrest plots displaying difference in mean (MD) and 95% CI for the impact of trial length (weeks) of PBDs compared to RMDs on (A) body weight (kg) [29,30,31,32,33,34,35] and (B) BMI (kg/m2) [29,30,32,33,34].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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