Human obesity: is insufficient calcium/dairy intake part of the problem?

Epidemiological data have shown that low calcium intake is a risk factor for overweight and obesity. The clinical implications of this relationship have been confirmed in weight loss studies performed in low calcium consumers in whom calcium or dairy supplementation accentuated body weight and fat loss. Up to now, laboratory studies and clinical trials have demonstrated that this effect may be explained by an increase in fat oxidation and fecal loss as well as a facilitation of appetite control. Taken together, these observations suggest that insufficient calcium intake can be part of the obesity problem in some individuals and that an increase in calcium/dairy intake is part of the solution. Key teaching points: Low dietary calcium intake is a significant risk factor for overweight in adults. Calcium/dairy supplementation may accentuate the impact of a weight-reducing program in obese low calcium consumers. Calcium/dairy supplementation promotes fecal fat loss and fat oxidation. Calcium/dairy supplementation favors a decrease in energy intake and a facilitation of appetite control in obese individuals during weight loss.