Metformin for obesity in children and adolescents: a systematic review
- Min Hae Park, MSc1,
- Sanjay Kinra, MD PhD1,
- Kirsten J. Ward, PhD2,
- Billy White, MBBS3 and
- Russell M. Viner, MBBS PhD (R.Viner{at}ich.ucl.ac.uk)4
- 1 Non Communicable Disease Epidemiology Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- 2 The Cochrane Heart Group, Non Communicable Disease Epidemiology Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London
- 3 Department of Pediatrics, University College London Hospitals, London, UK
- 4 UCL Institute of Child Health, University College London, UK
Abstract
Objective: To summarize the efficacy of metformin in reducing body mass index (BMI kg/m2) and cardiometabolic risk in obese children and adolescents without diabetes.
Research Design and Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Double-blind RCTs of duration ≥6 months in obese subjects aged ≤19 years without diabetes were included. Primary outcomes of interest: changes in BMI and measures of insulin sensitivity.
Results: Five trials met inclusion criteria (n=320 individuals). Compared to placebo, metformin reduced BMI by 1.42 kg/m2 (95% CI 0.83 to 2.02 kg/m2) and homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) score by 2.01 (95% CI 0.75 to 3.26)
Conclusion: Metformin appears to be moderately efficacious in reducing BMI and insulin resistance in hyperinsulinemic obese children and adolescents in the short term. Larger, longer-term studies in different populations are needed to establish its role in the treatment of overweight children.
Footnotes
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- Received February 16, 2009.
- Accepted May 29, 2009.
- Copyright © American Diabetes Association
