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. 2023 Apr 6;14(3):516–538. doi: 10.1016/j.advnut.2023.04.001

TABLE 2.

Study characteristics of included studies and their assigned intervention groups

Author (y) Country Sample Size Sex No. of Arms Duration of Intervention BC measurement Intervention [Intervention Group] Adherence Incl. in NMA
Combined Nutrition and Exercise Interventions
Amamou et al. [41] 2017 Canada 26 Male + Female 2 16 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Energy restriction + dietary high protein [3]

  • 2.

    Energy restriction + high protein + RT (3x/wk) [9]

 Not mentioned Yes
Amati et al. [42] 2008 United States 64 Male + Female 3 16 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Energy restriction (500-1000 kcal) [2]

  • 2.

    Aerobic training (> 3x/wk, walking, cycling, etc.) [7]

  • 3.

    Energy restriction + AT (3x/wk) [11]

 Not mentioned Yes
Avila et al. [43] 2010 United States 27 Male + Female 2 10 wk ADP
  • 1.

    DASH Diet education [2]

  • 2.

    DASH Diet education + RT (3x/wk)[10]

 Intervention 1
dietary interv.: 85%
Intervention 2
dietary interv: 98%, RT: 96%		 Yes
Beebe et al. [44] 2013 United States 26 Female 2 16 wk No BC measured
  • 1.

    DASH diet education [2]

  • 2.

    DASH diet education + Tai chi (3x/wk) [10]

 Not mentioned Yes
Bopp et al. [45] 2008 United States 70 Female 3 20 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Energy restriction (300-400 kcal) [2]

  • 2.

    Energy restriction + high-intensity AT (3x/wk) [11]

  • 3.

    Energy restriction + low-intensity AT (3x/wk) [11]

 Intervention 1
Not mentioned
Intervention 2
Dietary compliance: 100.1% +/- 0.4
Intervention 3
Not mentioned		 Yes
Bouchard et al.[46] 2009 United States 46 Female 4 12 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Resistance training (3x/wk) [6]

  • 2.

    Energy restriction (500-1000 kcal) [2]

  • 3.

    Energy restriction + RT (3x/wk) [10]

  • 4.

    No Intervention (education, normal diet) [1]

 Not mentioned Yes
Brennan et al. [107] 2020 United States 61 Male + Female 3 26 wk DXA
  • 1.

    No Intervention (education, normal diet)

  • 2.

    Energy restriction (500-1000 kcal)

  • 3.

    Energy restriction + exercise (4-5x/wk AT+ RT)

 Not mentioned No
Brochu et al. [47] 2009 Canada 107 Female 2 16 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Energy restriction (500-1000 kcal) [2]

  • 2.

    Energy restriction + RT (3x/wk) [10]

 Intervention 1
80-90%
Intervention 2
80-90%		 Yes
Deibert et al. [48] 2011 Germany 35 Male 3 12 wk Skinfold measurement
  • 1.

    No intervention (education, normal diet) [1]

  • 2.

    Resistance training (2x/wk) [6]

  • 3.

    RT (2x/wk) + high protein (supplement) [8]

 Intervention 1
90%
Intervention 2
90%
Intervention 3
90%		 Yes
Dubé et al. [49] 2011 United States 16 Male + Female 2 16 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Energy restriction (500-1000 kcal) [2]

  • 2.

    Aerobic training (> 3x/wk, walking, cycling, etc.) [7]

 Not mentioned Yes
Evans et al. [50] 2021 United States 61 Female 3 26 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Energy restriction + high protein (supplement) [3]

  • 2.

    Energy restriction + high protein + exercise (3x/wk AT + RT) [9]

  • 3.

    Energy restriction + Exercise (3x/wk AT + RT) [12]

 Intervention 1
dietary adherence not mentioned
Intervention 2
75% exercise
Intervention 3
75% exercise		 Yes
Felix-Soriano et al. [108] 2021 Spain 85 Female 4 16 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Olive oil (30 ml or capsule form)

  • 2.

    Omega-3 fatty acids

  • 3.

    Omega-3 fatty acids RT (2x/wk)

  • 4.

    Olive oil + RT (2x/wk)

 Intervention 1
95%
Intervention 2
95%
Intervention 3
95%
Intervention 4
95%		 No
Galbreath et al. [51] 2018 United States 54 Female 3 14 wk BIA, DXA
  • 1.

    Exercise (3x/wk AT +RT) [5]

  • 2.

    Energy restriction + high carbs + exercise (3x/wk AT+RT) [12]

  • 3.

    Energy restriction + high protein + exercise (3x/wk AT + RT) [9]

 Intervention 1
70%
Intervention 2
70%
Intervention 3
70%		 Yes
Grossman et al. [109] 2018 United States 11 Female 2 16 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Energy restriction + HIIT (3x/wk)

  • 2.

    Energy restriction + AT (3x/wk)

 Intervention 1
100%
Intervention 2
60%		 No
Hays et al. [110] 2004 United States 34 Male + Female 3 14 wk BOD POD
  • 1.

    No intervention (education, normal diet)

  • 2.

    Low-fat, complex-carbohydrate (HI-CHO)

  • 3.

    Low fat, high comlex carbs + exercise (4x/wk HI-CHO + EX)

 Not mentioned No
Haywood et al. [53] 2018 Australia 117 Male + Female 3 12 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Aerobic training (> 3x/wk, walking, cycling, etc.) [9]

  • 2.

    VLCD + AT (3x/wk) [5]

  • 3.

    Energy restriction + AT (3x/wk) [5]

 Not mentioned Yes
Hsu et al. [106] 2021 Taiwan 69 Male + Female 3 12 wk DXA
  • 1.

    No intervention (education, normal diet) [1]

  • 2.

    High-intensity training (HIIT) [7]

  • 3.

    Energy restriction + high protein + HIIT (3x/wk) [9]

 No Intervention
Not mentioned
Intervention 2
90%
Intervention 3
94%		 Yes
Jefferson et al. [52] 2015 United States 32 Male + Female 2 20 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Resistance training (3x/wk) [7]

  • 2.

    Energy restriction + RT (3x/wk) [10]

 Intervention 1
84%
Intervention 2
86%		 Yes
Jo et al. [111] 2019 United States 11 Male + Female 2 14 wk DXA
  • 1.

    VLCD (very low-calorie diet) + Optifast + high protein

  • 2.

    VLCD + RT (3x/wk) + Optifast

 Not mentioned No
Kelly et al. [112] 2014 United States 24 Male + Female 2 12 wk DXA, CT
  • 1.

    Low-glycemic index diet (LoGIX) + exercise (5x/wk)

  • 2.

    High-glycemic index diet (HiGIX) + exercise (5x/wk)

 Intervention1
diet + exercise: 97%
Intervention2
diet + exercise: 97%		 No
McNeil et al. [54] 2015 Canada 93 Female 2 26 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Energy restriction (500-1000 kcal) [2]

  • 2.

    Energy restriction + RT (3x/wk) [10]

 Not mentioned Yes
Messier et al. [55] 2010 Canada 107 Female 2 26 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Energy restriction (500-1000 kcal) [2]

  • 2.

    Energy restriction + RT (3x/wk) [10]

 Not mentioned Yes
Mulya et al. [113] 2017 United States 20 Male + Female 2 12 wk DXA
  • 1.

    High-glycemic index diet + exercise (HiGIX)

  • 2.

    Low-glycemic index diet (LoGIX) + exercise (5x/wk)

 Intervention 1
83.3%
Intervention 2
84.3%		 No
Muollo et al. [114] 2019 Italy 38 Male + Female 2 24 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Supervised Nordic walking (3x/wk) + energy restriction

  • 2.

    Supervised traditional walking (> 3x/wk) + energy restriction

 Not mentioned No
Muollo et al. [115] 2021 Italy 27 Male + Female 2 24 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Unsupervised Nordic walking (3x/wk) + energy restriction

  • 2.

    Unsupervised traditional walking (> 3x/wk) + energy restriction

 Intervention 1
81.4%
Intervention 2
80.2%		 No
Nicklas et al. [58] 2019 United States 155 Male + Female 3 20 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Aerobic training (> 3x/wk, walking, cycling, etc.) [7]

  • 2.

    Moderate energy restriction + AT (-250 kcal) [11]

  • 3.

    Energy restriction + AT (3x/wk) [11]

 Intervention 1
85.8%
Intervention 2
Exercise: 89.9%; 99.2%
Intervention 3
Exercise 91.2%; 100%		 Yes
Nicklas et al. [57] 2015 United States 126 Male + Female 2 20 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Resistance training (3x/wk) [6]

  • 2.

    Energy restriction + RT (3x/wk) [10]

 Intervention 1
attendance: 86%
Intervention2
attendance: 89%		 Yes
Nicklas et al. [56] 2009 United States 112 Female 3 20 wk DXA, CT
  • 1.

    Energy restriction (500-1000 kcal) [2]

  • 2.

    Energy restriction + AT with moderate intensity (3x/wk) [11]

  • 3.

    Energy restriction + AT (3x/wk) at vigorous intensity [11]

 Intervention 1
dietary compliance: 99.8% (SD 1.4%)
Intervention2
dietary compl.: 100.3% (SD 1.8);
exercise: 92.6% (SD 5.5)
Intervention 3
dietary compl.: 100.4% (SD 1,7);
exercise: 90% (SD 8.7)		 Yes
Sakurai et al. [59] 2013 Japan 66 Male + Female 4 12 wk BC analyzer
  • 1.

    Hot bathing + education + exercise (RT + band + aerobic, 2x/wk) [5]

  • 2.

    education + exercise (RT + band + aerobic 2x/wk) [5]

  • 3.

    hot bathing 20 min [1]

  • 4No intervention (education, normal diet) [1]

 Not mentioned Yes
Santanasto et al. [60] 2011 United States 36 Male + Female 2 26 wk DXA, CT
  • 1.

    Energy restriction + exercise (3x/wk AT + RT) [12]

  • 2.

    Exercise (3x/wk AT + RT) [5]

 Not mentioned Yes
Shah et al. [61] 2009 United States 18 Male + Female 2 26 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Energy restriction (500-1000 kcal) [2]

  • 2.

    Energy restriction + exercise (3x/wk AT + RT) [12]

 Not mentioned Yes
Solomon et al. [116] 2013 United States 20 Male + Female 2 12 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Aerobic training (> 3x/wk, walking, cycling, etc.) + low-glycemic diet

  • 2.

    Aerobic training (> 3x/wk, walking, cycling, etc.) + high-glycemic diet

 Not mentioned No
St-Onge et al. [74] 2013 Canada 89 Male + Female 2 26 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Energy restriction (500-1000 kcal) [2]

  • 2.

    Energy restriction + RT (3x/wk) [10]

 Not mentioned Yes
Valente et al. [73] 2011 United States 27 Male + Female 2 10 wk ADP
  • 1.

    DASH diet education [2]

  • 2.

    RT (3x/wk) + DASH diet education [10]

 Intervention 1
85%
Intervention 2
98%		 Yes
van Gemert et al. [117] 2015 Netherlands 243 Male + Female 3 16 wk DXA
  • 1.

    No intervention (education, normal diet)

  • 2.

    Energy restriction (500-1000 kcal)

  • 3.

    Exercise (4 h/wk AT + RT)

 Intervention 1
80%
Intervention 2
80%
Intervention 3
80%		 No
Verreijen et al. [71] 2017 Netherlands 100 Male + Female 4 10 wk ADP (BOD POD)
  • 1.

    Energy restriction (500-1000 kcal) [2]

  • 2.

    Energy restriction + dietary high protein [3]

  • 3.

    Energy restriction + high protein + RT (3x/wk) [9]

  • 4.

    Energy restriction + resistance training (3x/wk) [10]

 Intervention 1
Not mentioned
Intervention 2
mean adherence to exercise
program: 2.9 +- 0.3 times/wk
Intervention 3
mean adherence to exercise
program: 2.9 +- 0.3 times/wk
Intervention 4
Not mentioned		 Yes
Verreijen et al. [72] 2015 Netherlands 60 Male + Female 2 13 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Energy restriction + high protein + RT (3x/wk) [3]

  • 2.

    Energy restriction + RT (3x/wk) [10]

 Intervention 1
food consupmtion: 91%;
exercise program: 72%
Intervention 2
food consumption: 97%;
exercise program: 88%		 Yes
Villareal et al. [70] 2017 United States 160 Male + Female 4 26 wk DXA
  • 1.

    No intervention (education, normal diet) [1]

  • 2.

    Energy restriction + AT (3x/wk) [11]

  • 3.

    Energy restriction + RT (3x/wk) [10]

  • 4.

    Energy restriction + exercise (3x/wk AT+RT) [12]

 Not mentioned Yes
Wang et al. [69] 2015 United States 70 Female 2 20 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Energy restriction + AT (3x/wk) [11]

  • 2.

    Energy restriction (500-1000 kcal) [2]

 Not mentioned Yes
Wasserfurth et al. [67] 2020 Germany 134 Male + Female 4 12 wk BIA
  • 1.

    No intervention (education, normal diet) [1]

  • 2.

    Exercise (AT +RT 2x/wk) [5]

  • 3.

    Exercise + German Nutrition Society [5]

  • 4.

    Exercise + normal diet + 2 g/d Calanus finmarchichus oil (Shellfish) [5]

 Not mentioned Yes
Waters et al. [67] 2021 United States 160 Male + Female 4 26 wk DXA
  • 1.

    No intervention (education, normal diet) [1]

  • 2.

    Energy restriction + AT (3x/wk) [11]

  • 3.

    Energy restriction + RT (3x/wk) [10]

  • 4.

    Energy restriction + exercise (AT + RT 3x/wk) [12]

 Not mentioned Yes
Weiss et al. [66] 2021 United States 52 Male + Female 3 12 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Energy restriction (500-1000 kcal) [2]

  • 2.

    Exercise (AT + RT frequency not mentioned) [5]

  • 3.

    Energy restriction + exercise (AT + RT frequency not mentioned) [11]

 Not mentioned Yes
Yassine et al. [65] 2009 United States 24 Male + Female 2 12 wk Hydrostatic weighing, CT
  • 1.

    Aerobic training (> 3x/wk, walking, cycling, etc.) [7]

  • 2.

    Energy restriction + AT (3x/wk) [11]

 Intervention 1
94%
Intervention 2
94%		 Yes
Yoshimura et al. [64] 2014 Japan 75 Male + Female 2 12 wk Underwater weighing
  • 1.

    Energy restriction (500-1000 kcal) [2]

  • 2.

    Energy restriction + AT (3x/wk) [11]

 Intervention 1
Diet only: 97%
Intervention 2
Exercise: 81%, diet: 93%		 Yes
You et al. [63] 2004 United States 34 Female 2 26 wk DXA, CT
  • 1.

    Energy restriction (500-1000 kcal) [2]

  • 2.

    Energy restriction + AT (3x/wk) [11]

 Intervention 1
diet class: 80%
Intervention 2
diet + ex: 78%; exercise sessions: 78%		 Yes
You et al. [62] 2006 United States 45 Female 3 20 wk DXA
  • 1.

    energy restriction (500-1000 kcal) [2]

  • 2.

    Energy restriction + low-intensity AT (3x/wk) [11]

  • 3.

    Energy restriction + high-intensity AT (3x/wk) [5]

 Intervention 1
Not mentioned
Intervention 2
exercise compl: 92.3 ± 1.7%
Intervention 3
exercise compl: 87.9 ± 2.3%		 Yes
Exercise Interventions
Ballor et al. [75] 1996 United States 18 Male + Female 2 12 wk Underwater weighing
  • 1.

    Resistance training (3x/wk) [6]

  • 2.

    Aerobic training (> 3x/wk, walking, cycling, etc.) [7]

 Not mentioned Yes
Bocalini et al. [76] 2012 Brazil 44 Female 4 12 wk Skinfold measurement
  • 1.

    No intervention (education, normal diet) [1]

  • 2.

    Resistance training (3x/wk) [6]

  • 3.

    No intervention (education, normal diet) [1]

  • 4.

    Resistance training (3x/wk) [6]

 Not mentioned Yes
Boukabous et al. [120] 2019 Canada 18 Female 2 8 wk DXA
  • 1.

    High-intensity training (75 min/wk HIIT)

  • 2.

    Moderate intensity training (150 min/wk MICT)

 Intervention 1
92.7%
Intervention 2
92.7%		 No
Carneiro et al. [121] 2021 Brazil 40 Female 2 15 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Low-intensity RT (3x/wk)

  • 2.

    High-intensity resistance training (3x/wk)

 Not mentioned No
Cavalcante et al. [77] 2018 Brazil 57 Female 3 12 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Resistance training (2x/wk) [6]

  • 2.

    Resistance training (3x/wk) [6]

  • 3.

    No intervention (education, normal diet) [1]

 Intervention 1
session attending ≥ 85%
Intervention 2
session attending ≥ 85%
No intervention
Not mentioned		 Yes
Conley et al. [79] 2018 Australia 23 Male 2 26 wk No BC measured
  • 1.

    5:2 diet [4]

  • 2.

    Energy restriction (500-1000 kcal) [2]

 Intervention 1
82%
Intervention 2
83%		 Yes
Faramarzi et al. [80] 2018 Iran 40 Female 4 8 wk Skinfold measurement
  • 1.

    Endurance training followed by strength training [5]

  • 2.

    Strength training followed by endurance training [5]

  • 3.

    Exercise (3x/wk AT + RT) [5]

  • 4.

    No intervention (education, normal diet) [1]

 Not mentioned Yes
Fritz et al. [81] 2018 Spain 63 Female 3 8 wk BIA, DXA
  • 1.

    Elastic tubes with handles (ETG 2x/wk) [6]

  • 2.

    Elastic band traditional (EB 2x/wk) [6]

  • 3.

    No intervention (education, normal diet) [1]

 Intervention 1
91.6 ± 3.3%
Intervention 2
93.3 ± 3.1%
No intervention
Not mentioned		 Yes
Izzicupo et al. [122] 2017 Italy 30 Female 2 12 wk Skinfold
  • 1.

    Traditional walking (> 3x/wk)

  • 2.

    Nordic walking

 Not mentioned No
Kallings et al. [82] 2009 Sweden 101 Male + Female 2 26 wk BIA
  • 1.

    Exercise (frequency not mentioned AT + RT) [5]

  • 2.

    No intervention (education, normal diet) [1]

 Not mentioned Yes
Kim et al. [83] 2019 Korea 20 Male 2 12 wk BIA
  • 1.

    No intervention (education, normal diet) [1]

  • 2.

    Exercise (3x/wk AT + RT) [5]

 Not mentioned Yes
Li et al. [84] 2021 China 29 Male + Female 3 12 wk DXA
  • 1.

    No intervention (education, normal diet) [1]

  • 2.

    High-intensity training (3x/wk HIIT) [7]

  • 3.

    Vigorous-intensity continuous training (3x/wk VICT) [7]

 Not mentioned Yes
Nunes et al. [85] 2019 Brazil 24 Female 2 12 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Exercise (3x/wk AT + RT) [5]

  • 2.

    HIIT (3x/wk) [6]

 Not mentioned Yes
Park et al. [86] 2015 Korea 20 Female 2 12 wk BC analyzer
  • 1.

    Exercise (3x/wk AT + RT) [5]

  • 2.

    No intervention (education, normal diet) [1]

 Not mentioned Yes
Park et al. [87] 2020 Korea 20 Male 2 12 wk BIA
  • 1.

    No intervention (education, normal diet) [1]

  • 2.

    Moderate exercise (3x/wk AT +RT) [5]

 Not mentioned Yes
Phillips et al. [88] 2012 United States 23 Female 2 12 wk Skinfold measurement
  • 1.

    Resistance training (3x/wk) [6]

  • 2.

    No intervention (education, normal diet) [1]

 Intervention 1
attendance exercise: 100%
No intervention
attendance: 90%		 Yes
Puengsuwan et al. 2020 [89] Thailand 55 Female 2 15 wk Skinfold measurement
  • 1.

    No intervention (education, normal diet) [1]

  • 2.

    Resistance training (3x/wk) [6]

 No intervention
Not mentioned
Intervention 2
exercise training: 90%		 Yes
Ribeiro et al. [90] 2020 Brazil 33 Female 2 8 wk DXA
  • 1.

    No intervention (education, normal diet) [1]

  • 2.

    Resistance training (3x/wk) [6]

 No intervention
Not mentioned
Intervention 1
participating in
sessions ≥ 85%		 Yes
Rossi et al. [91] 2016 Brazil 70 Female 3 16 wk DXA
  • 1.

    No intervention (education, normal diet) [1]

  • 2.

    Aerobic training (> 3x/wk, walking, cycling, etc.) [7]

  • 3.

    Exercise (AT + RT 3x/wk) [5]

 Not mentioned Yes
Siu et al. [95] 2021 Hong Kong 543 Male + Female 3 12 wk No BC measured
  • 1.

    No intervention (education, normal diet) [1]

  • 2.

    Exercise (3x/wk AT + RT) [5]

  • 3.

    Tai chi [6]

 No intervention
Not mentioned
Intervention 1
class attendance: 67%
Intervention 2
class attendance: 70%		 Yes
Sjögren et al. [92] 2012 Sweden 73 Male + Female 2 26 wk BIA
  • 1.

    No intervention (education, normal diet) [1]

  • 2.

    Exercise (3x/wk AT + RT) [6]

 Not mentioned Yes
Stewart et al. [93] 2005 United States 104 Male + Female 4 26 wk DXA
  • 1.

    No intervention (education, normal diet) [1]

  • 2.

    Exercise (3x/wk AT + RT) [5]

 No intervention
90%
Intervention 1
90%		 Yes
Tomeleri et al. [94] 2016 Brazil 38 Female 2 8 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Resistance training (3x/wk) [6]

  • 2.

    No intervention (education, normal diet) [1]

 No intervention
Not mentioned
Intervention 1
session participating ≥ 85%		 Yes
Church et al. [78] 2009 United States 411 Female 4 26 wk Skinfold measurement
  • 1.

    No intervention (education, normal diet) [1]

  • 2.

    4 kcal/kg/wk - 3 to 4 training sessions [7]

  • 3.

    8 kcal/kg/wk - 3 to 4 training sessions [7]

  • 4.

    12 kcal/kg/wk - 3 to 4 training sessions [7]

 No intervention
Not mentioned
Intervention 1
exercise: 99.5%
Intervention 2
exercise: 99.3
Intervention 3
exercise: 99.2%		 Yes
Irwin et al. [104] 2003 United States 173 Female 2 12 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Aerobic training (> 3x/wk, walking, cycling, etc.) [7]

  • 2.

    No intervention (education, normal diet) [1]

 Not mentioned Yes
Nutritional Interventions
Backx et al. [103] 2016 Netherlands 61 Male + Female 2 12 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Energy restriction (500-1000 kcal) [2]

  • 2.

    Energy restriction + dietary high protein [3]

 Not mentioned Yes
Barbour et al. [123] 2015 Australia 63 Male + Female 2 12 wk DXA
  • 1.

    High oleic peanut consumption (male: 84 g/female: 56 g/d)

  • 2.

    No intervention (education, normal diet)

 Intervention 1
80%
No intervention
Not mentioned		 No
Barnard et al. [118] 2022 United States 62 Male + Female 2 16 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Mediterranean diet

  • 2.

    Low-fat Vegan diet

 Intervention 1
84%
Intervention 2
84%		 No
Barnard et al. [119] 2005 United States 59 Female 2 14 wk BOD POD
  • 1.

    Low-fat Vegan diet

  • 2.

    No intervention (education, normal diet)

 Not mentioned No
Beaver et al. [102] 2015 United States 24 Male + Female 2 12 wk DXA, CT
  • 1.

    Energy restriction + normal soy protein + meal replacement [2]

  • 2.

    Energy restriction (500-1000 kcal) [2]

 Intervention 1
Self-reported compliance to dietary interv: 97.5 ± 3.3%
Intervention 2
Self-reported compliance to dietary interv: 92.2 ± 9.3%		 Yes
Beaver et al. [100] 2019 United States 96 Male + Female 2 26 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Energy restriction + high protein + meal replacement [3]

  • 2.

    No intervention (education, normal diet) [1]

 Intervention 1
attendance at educational
sessions: 88%; self-reported
meal replacement: 92.7%
No intervention
attendance at educational sessions: 84%		 Yes
Dengo et al. [101] 2010 United States 36 Male + Female 2 12 wk DXA, CT
  • 1.

    No intervention (education, normal diet) [1]

  • 2.

    Energy restriction (500-1000 kcal) [2]

 Not mentioned Yes
Dennis et al. [133] 2010 United States 48 Male + Female 2 12 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Energy restriction + 500 ml water prior to each daily meal

  • 2.

    Energy restriction (500-1000 kcal)

 Intervention 1
Water intake compliance: 90 ± 2%		 No
Englert et al. [99] 2021 Germany 54 Female 2 12 wk BIA
  • 1.

    Energy restriction + normal protein + meal replacement [2]

  • 2.

    Energy restriction + high protein + meal replacement [3]

 Not mentioned Yes
Goss et al. [125] 2020 United States 34 Male + Female 2 8 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Very low calorie and carbohydrate (< 10%)

  • 2.

    Low-fat diet

 Not mentioned No
Ilich et al. [126] 2019 United States 135 Female 3 26 wk DXA
  • 1.

    No intervention (education, normal diet)

  • 2.

    Energy restriction + calcium + vitamin D supplement

  • 3.

    Energy restriction (500-1000 kcal) + low-fat dairy diet

 No intervention
compliance with suppl: 73%
Intervention 2
compliance with suppl: 73%
Intervention 3
compliance with placebo: 82.7%		 No
Katz et al. [127] 2012 United States 46 Male + Female 2 8 wk No BC measured
  • 1.

    Walnuts 56 g

  • 2.

    No intervention (education, normal diet)

 Not mentioned No
Kristensen et al. [128] 2012 Denmark 72 Female 2 12 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Energy restriction + refined wheat

  • 2.

    Energy restriction + whole-grain wheat

 Intervention 1
compl. with provided food: 91.5%
Intervention 2
compl. with provided food: 94.2%		 No
Njike et al. [129] 2017 United States 32 Male + Female 2 12 wk BIA
  • 1.

    Typical conventional snack food (200 kcal)

  • 2.

    Nut-based snack bars (NBSB 200 kcal)

 Not mentioned No
Ogilvie et al. [98] 2021 United States 34 Female 2 26 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Energy restriction (500-1000 kcal) [2]

  • 2.

    Energy restriction + dietary high protein [3]

 Not mentioned Yes
Porter Starr et al. [97] 2019 United States 39 Male + Female 2 26 wk BOD POD
  • 1.

    Energy restriction (500-1000 kcal) [2]

  • 2.

    Energy restriction + dietary high protein [3]

 Not mentioned Yes
Serra et al. [96] 2019 United States 82 Male + Female 2 26 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Energy restriction + high protein + meal replacement [2]

  • 2.

    No intervention (education, normal diet) [1]

 Intervention 1
attendance to education: 88% self-reported compl: 93%
No intervention
attendance to education. session: 84%		 Yes
Shapses et al. [130]
2004		 United States 58 Female 4 25 wk DXA
  • 1.

    Energy restriction + calcium 1,000 mg/d

  • 2.

    Energy restriction (500-1000 kcal)

  • 3.

    Energy restriction + calcium 1,000 mg/d (Slim fast)

  • 4.

    Energy restriction + Slim Fast

 Intervention 1
90%
Intervention 2
90%
Intervention 3
85%
Intervention 4
85%		 No
Teng et al. [105] 2013 Malaysia 56 Male 2 12 wk Body composition analyzer
  • 1.

    No intervention (education, normal diet) [1]

  • 2.

    Energy restriction (300-500) + 2x Muslim Sunnah Fasting/wk [4]

 Not mentioned Yes
Wien et al. [131]
2003		 United States 65 Male + Female 2 24 wk BIA
  • 1.

    Formula-based LCD+ almond 84 g/d

  • 2.

    Formula-based LCD + self-selected diet with complex carbs + safflower oil

 Not mentioned No
Christensen et al. [124] 2011 Denmark 192 Male + Female 2 16 wk BIA
  • 1.

    Very low-calorie diet (VLCD)

  • 2.

    Low-energy diet (LED)

 Intervention 1
after 8 wks: 91%/after 16 wks: 90%
Intervention 2
8 wks: 94%; 16 wks: 93%		 No

Abbreviations: ADP, air-displacement plethysmograph; AT, aerobic training; BC, body composition; LCD, low-calorie diet; RT, resistance training.

Intervention groups: [1] No intervention, [2] energy restriction (300-1000 kcal + meal replacement), [3] energy restriction + high protein, [4] 5:2 diet, [5] mixed exercise (AT+RT), [6] resistance training, [7] aerobic training, [8] resistance training + high protein, [9] energy restriction + high protein + exercise (mainly RT), [10] energy restriction + resistance training, [11] energy restriction + aerobic training, [12] energy restriction + mixed exercise.