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Epidemiology and Population Health

Effect of cannabis and subproducts on anthropometric measures: a systematic review and meta-analysis

International Journal of Obesity volume 48, pages 44–54 (2024)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background

Obesity poses a significant public health challenge. Research has examined the impact of cannabis and subproducts on health but varying results have hindered a consensus.

Aim

This study aimed to evaluated the effects of cannabis and subproducts on body measurements.

Methods

For searching randomized controlled trials evaluating cannabis and/or subproducts use and changes in anthropometric measures, a systematic search at MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science was conducted until March 2023. The outcomes included changes in body weight, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). Meta-analysis was realized using R software (version 4.2.1).

Results

In general, cannabis use reduced weight by 1.87 kg (95% CI: −3.71 to −0.03) and WC (mean difference = −2.19, 95% CI: −4.44 to 0.06). When examining subgroups, longer follow-up periods were associated with a more pronounced BMI reduction (mean difference = −1.10, 95% CI: −2.23 to 0.03). Cannabinoid CB1 exhibited an increase in body fat (mean difference = 1.70, 95% CI: 0.66–2.74).

Conclusion

These findings suggest that cannabis and subproducts could be considered adjuncts in obesity treatment by helping to reduce relevant anthropometric measurements.

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Fig. 1: Flowchart for the selection of studies, 2023.
Fig. 2: Forest plot of the differences in standard means and 95% confidence interval (CI) of the effect of cannabinoid therapeutic use on weight.
Fig. 3: Forest plot of the differences in standard means and 95% confidence interval (CI) of the effect of cannabinoid therapeutic use on waist circumference (WC).
Fig. 4: Forest plot of the differences in standard means and 95% confidence interval (CI) of the effect of cannabinoid therapeutic use on BMI by follow-up time.
Fig. 5: Forest plot of the differences in standard means and 95% confidence interval (CI) of the effect of cannabinoid therapeutic use on body fat by type of cannabinoids.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

This study used data that was made available on public websites and electronic data banks. The Brazilian government gained access to the Embase platform (via the CAPES website).

Funding

Funding

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) - code 001.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculdade Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

    Marcela Gomes Reis, Diego Ribeiro Taimeirão & Nathalia Sernizon Guimarães

  2. Observatório de Pesquisa em Epidemiologia, Nutrição e Saúde (OPeNS), Belo Horizonte, Brazil

    Marcela Gomes Reis, Andrea J. F. Ferreira, Diego Ribeiro Taimeirão, Renata Adrielle Lima Vieira & Nathalia Sernizon Guimarães

  3. The Ubuntu Center on Racism, Global Movements, and Population Health Equity, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Andrea J. F. Ferreira

  4. Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran

    Mohammad Hassan Sohouli

  5. Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil

    Renata Adrielle Lima Vieira

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  1. Marcela Gomes Reis
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Contributions

AJFF and NSG developed the study’s concept and projected it. Direct access to DRT, MGR, AJFF, and NSG; data verification and analysis. MGR and NSG wrote the first paragraph of the manuscript. All of the authors contributed to the interpretation of the data, reviewed and edited the manuscript. NSG oversaw the research process. All of the authors had complete access to all of the study’s data and were ultimately responsible for the decision to submit them for publication.

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Correspondence to Nathalia Sernizon Guimarães.

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Appendix A. Search

Search(10th March 2023)

“Cannabidiol” (Cannabidiol - MeSH - NCBI (nih.gov)); “Cannabis” (Cannabis - MeSH - NCBI (nih.gov)); Composição Corporal - MeSH - NCBI (nih.gov); Distribuição de gordura corporal - MeSH - NCBI (nih.gov); Índice de Massa Corporal (Body Mass Index - MeSH - NCBI (nih.gov)); “Excesso de peso” (Excesso de peso - MeSH - NCBI (nih.gov)); Obesidade (Obesidade - MeSH - NCBI (nih.gov)), Densidade óssea - MeSH - NCBI (nih.gov); Fraturas Ósseas - MeSH - NCBI (nih.gov); Sarcopenia - MeSH - NCBI (nih.gov).

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Reis, M.G., Ferreira, A.J.F., Sohouli, M.H. et al. Effect of cannabis and subproducts on anthropometric measures: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Obes 48, 44–54 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-023-01399-x

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