Network meta- analysis revealed that in adolescents , intervention with 2000 mg/day metformin ranked better than other interventions ; however , 1000 mg/day metformin for 3 months may be most suitable for adolescents .
For adults , metformin at doses of 3000 and 1000 mg/day ranked the highest , other than minimeal and lifestyle interventions ; moreover , intervention with 3000 mg/day for 6 months and 1000 mg/day for 0.5 months may be suitable for adults .
Conclusion When considering the efficacy of interventions for losing weight , metformin offers clear advantages for overweight and obese population
Purpose Our aim was to assess the efficacy of metformin for weight loss in overweight and obese people through a systematic review and network meta- analysis and to identify the most suitable dosage and intervention period for using metformin  in adolescents and adults .
Effect of metformin on food intake in obese subjects.
BACKGROUND It has been hypothesized that metformin inhibits food intake , but in humans such effect needs to be demonstrated . Our study aims at investigating the effect of metformin administration on food intake in obese , non-diabetic , normotensive patients . METHODS Thirty patients underwent a double-blind , r and omized study .  Placebo ( P ; n = 15 ) and metformin ( M ; n = 15 ) were both given for 15 days , and food intake ( FI ) was recorded at baseline and in the last 4 days of each treatment period . RESULTS M administration allowed a stronger decline in body weight ( BW ) ( -2.8 + /- 1.6 vs. -0.3 + /- 0.4 kg P < 0.01 ) , body fat ( BF ) ( -1.4 + /- 1.2 vs. -0.3 + /- 1.1 kg P < 0.01 ) , plasma leptin concentration ( -5.2 + /- 8.9 vs. -1.8 + /- 10.4 ng mL-1 P < 0.05 ) and FI ( -642 + /- 491 vs.-70 + /- 1165 kJ per 24 h P < 0.01 ) than P. In M-treated subjects , changes in FI significantly correlated with those in BW ( r = 0.63 , P < 0.007 ) and BF ( r = 0.74 , P < 0.001 ) . Independently of sex and change in BF , the changes in FI and in fasting plasma leptin concentration ( r = 0.58 , P < 0.01 ) were still correlated . CONCLUSION Our study suggests that metformin administration is useful to inhibit FI and to lower BW and BF in obese non-diabetic patients
Network meta- analysis revealed that in adolescents , intervention with 2000 mg/day metformin ranked better than other interventions ; however , 1000 mg/day metformin for 3 months may be most suitable for adolescents .
For adults , metformin at doses of 3000 and 1000 mg/day ranked the highest , other than minimeal and lifestyle interventions ; moreover , intervention with 3000 mg/day for 6 months and 1000 mg/day for 0.5 months may be suitable for adults .
Conclusion When considering the efficacy of interventions for losing weight , metformin offers clear advantages for overweight and obese population
Purpose Our aim was to assess the efficacy of metformin for weight loss in overweight and obese people through a systematic review and network meta- analysis and to identify the most suitable dosage and intervention period for using metformin  in adolescents and adults .