Effects of dietary protein intake on body composition changes after weight loss in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Context: The impact of dietary protein on body composition changes after older adults purposefully lose weight requires systematic evaluation. Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the effects of protein intake (<25% vs ±25% of energy intake or 1.0 g/kg/d) on energy restriction-induced changes in body mass, lean mass, and fat mass in adults older than 50 years. Data Sources: PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched using the keywords "dietary proteins," "body composition," "skeletal muscle," and "muscle strength." Study Selection: Two researchers independently screened 1542 abstracts. Data Extraction: Information was extracted from 24 articles. Data Synthesis: Twenty randomized control trials met the inclusion criteria. Conclusion: Older adults retained more lean mass and lost more fat mass during weight loss when consuming higher protein diets.