Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40709488›Full record

SynthesisObesity (Silver Spring, Md.)2025

Effect of unprocessed red meat on obesity and related factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Md Akheruzzaman, Marleigh Hefner, Daniel Baller, Shane Clark, Zahra Feizy, Diana M Thomas, Nikhil V Dhurandhar

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Md AkheruzzamanDepartment of Nutritional Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4639-5581
Marleigh HefnerDepartment of Nutritional Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0002-4223-3366
Daniel BallerUS Army Intelligence and Security Command, Virginia, USA.
Shane ClarkDepartment of Mathematical Sciences, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, USA.
Zahra FeizyDepartment of Nutritional Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7116-0923
Diana M ThomasDepartment of Mathematical Sciences, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2641-9304
Nikhil V DhurandharDepartment of Nutritional Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1356-1064

Funding

Artificial Intelligence, Modeling, and Informatics for Nutrition Guidance and Systems (AIMINGS) CenterAOD22022001 · OD · OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH · 2022 to 2025
$2.4M
NIH HHS AOD22022001The Beef Checkoff
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveThe objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of intervention trials that have determined the effect of unprocessed red meat (URM) intake on obesity-related outcomes.

methodsThe populations, interventions, controls, and outcomes (PICO) framework was used to create questions to search seven databases from July 29, 2020, to August 21, 2020. Two reviewers independently screened 5630 references. English-language intervention trials in adults testing the effect of URM on obesity-related outcomes were included. Twenty-four studies met selection criteria. A random-effects model was developed to calculate pooled effect sizes. The DerSimonian-Laird estimator was used to estimate the variance of the true effect sizes. An interactive dashboard was published to provide transparent analysis and data presentation.

resultsWe found no significant effect of URM for BMI, body weight, or percent body fat based on unfiltered pooled effect sizes. Filtered pooled effect size analysis showed a slight adverse effect of URM for total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

conclusionsStudies did not show an effect of URM on weight gain, obesity, or related metabolic conditions. This may help clinicians when considering the use of URM for patients. Longer studies may be needed for observing obesity development in case the effect of URM on weight gain is small and needs a much longer time to express.

Indexed as

ObesityRed MeatBody Mass IndexBody WeightHumansWeight Gain

Identifiers

PMID40709488
PMCPMC12381610

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.