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Obesity (Poster Session)

(P15-020-24) Seaweed Consumption and Weight Management: Exploring the Anti-obesity Effects of Seaweed Vegetables on Adults With Obesity – A Systematic Review

Sunday, June 30, 2024
11:45 AM – 12:45 PM CT
Location: Poster Board 20
Disclosure(s):
Miriam Hagan, MS, PMP: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.


Objectives: Overweight and obesity contribute to various metabolic disorders, impacting both adults and children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 40% of adults and 20% of children in the USA are affected by obesity. Lifestyle changes, particularly adopting a healthy diet, are crucial for maintaining weight and preventing excessive weight gain. Traditional recommendations include low-calorie diets and the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Seaweed vegetables, known for being low in calories and rich in essential nutrients, such as dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, have demonstrated anti-adipogenesis and anti-obesity effects in vivo. However, their impact on humans remains unclear. This study aims to conduct an extensive literature review to ascertain what is known about the effects of seaweed consumption on overweight and obesity in adults.

Methods: A full-text, English-only publication was searched on PubMed published between 2013 to 2023. Four search terms were utilized on PubMed, the search resulted in 22 studies. After applying the eligibility criteria, four studies were deemed relevant. These studies explored the effect of seaweed extracts from different species on body weight, fat mass, and lipid profiles in overweight and obese individuals.

Results: The findings indicated a significant reduction in body weight and fat mass, along with an increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. This effect was attributed to seaweed’s inhibition of adipocyte differentiation by flavonoids with anti-adipogenic activity. Fasting glucose, insulin, and lipid profiles also decreased.

Conclusions: Incorporating seaweed vegetables into the diet could be a viable dietary modification for achieving and maintaining a healthy weight and preventing excessive weight gain. This may represent a practical and effective dietary strategy to attain and sustain a healthy weight, thereby mitigating the risk of excessive weight gain and its associated health implications.

Funding Sources: None