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Review
. 2025 Aug 20;17(8):e90604.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.90604. eCollection 2025 Aug.

Role of Serum Magnesium Deficiency in Insulin Resistance Among Overweight and Obese Children: A Meta-Analysis

Yashar Mashayekhi  1 , Aneesh N Jadhav  2 , Minahil Sarfraz  3 , Harmain Sachwani  4 , Mujadad A Khan  5 , Saher Sultan  6 , Mahek Thorani  7 , Mahwish Ashraf  8 , Imtiaz Mustafa  9 , Ahmad Yar  10
Affiliations
Review

Role of Serum Magnesium Deficiency in Insulin Resistance Among Overweight and Obese Children: A Meta-Analysis

Yashar Mashayekhi et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Magnesium is an essential micronutrient that plays a critical role in insulin signaling, glucose metabolism, and energy balance. With the growing global burden of childhood obesity and metabolic dysfunction, serum magnesium deficiency has emerged as a potential modifiable factor in the development of insulin resistance. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association between serum magnesium levels and insulin resistance among overweight and obese children. A comprehensive search of electronic databases and clinical trial registries was conducted for studies published between 2011 and 2025. Following rigorous screening and eligibility assessment, seven studies comprising a total of 960 children were included in the final analysis. Across the selected studies, serum magnesium deficiency was significantly associated with both obesity and insulin resistance. For obesity-related outcomes, the pooled odds ratio (OR) was 2.82 (95% CI: 1.99-3.95, p < 0.00001), with study-specific ORs ranging from 2.60 to 2.95. For insulin resistance, the pooled OR was 2.91 (95% CI: 2.10-4.04, p < 0.00001), with individual study ORs ranging from 2.60 to 3.25, all with p-values < 0.001. Heterogeneity across studies was low to moderate (I² = 32%, χ² = 8.82, df = 6, p = 0.18), indicating consistency in outcomes. These findings provide strong evidence that low serum magnesium levels are significantly associated with both obesity and insulin resistance in pediatric populations. Magnesium deficiency may act as both a biomarker and a contributing factor to early metabolic disturbances. Given its potential reversibility, early detection and dietary or supplemental correction of magnesium deficiency could be a valuable strategy in preventing or mitigating insulin resistance in overweight and obese children.

Keywords: childhood obesity; homa-ir; insulin resistance; metabolic syndrome; serum magnesium.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flow diagram of the study selection process.
Figure 2
Figure 2. (A) Serum Magnesium in Overweight and Obese Children (B) Magnesium Deficiency in Insulin Resistance
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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