Metformin for obesity in children and adolescents: a systematic review.
OBJECTIVE
To summarize the efficacy of metformin in reducing BMI and cardiometabolic risk in obese children and adolescents without diabetes.


METHODS
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Double-blind RCTs of > or =6 months duration in obese subjects age < or =19 years without diabetes were included. Our primary outcomes of interest include changes in BMI and measures of insulin sensitivity.


RESULTS
Five trials met inclusion criteria (n = 320 individuals). Compared with placebo, metformin reduced BMI by 1.42 kg/m(2) (95% CI 0.83-2.02) and homeostasis model assessment insulin of resistance (HOMA-IR) score by 2.01 (95% CI 0.75-3.26).


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Park
Min Hae
MH
Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
Kinra
Sanjay
S
Ward
Kirsten J
KJ
White
Billy
B
Viner
Russell M
RM
D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008687:Metformin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D008687:Metformin