OLIVE OILS AND HEALTH 150 12.3. Evidence from intervention studies on the association between olive oil consumption and overweight and/or obesity High-quality nutritional intervention studies are essential for establishing causal relationships between dietary components and health outcomes, but they are often complex, costly, and logistically challenging. Despite the difficulties, recent analyses have begun to clarify the role of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) in weight management and body composition. A recent Spanish systematic review examined 490 intervention studies assessing the impact of olive oil consumption on anthropometric outcomes such as body weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference. Of these, only 11 met the scientific criteria necessary for inclusion in a meta-analysis. Despite the limited number of rigorously designed trials, the findings were consistent and notable: consumption of olive oil was associated with modest but statistically significant reductions in body weight (–0.92 kg), waist circumference (–0.60 cm), and BMI (–0.90 units) compared to control groups. Importantly, these beneficial effects were observed when olive oil was incorporated into the diet in liquid form -consistent with traditional dietary use- rather than when administered as supplements or capsules. This finding underscores the importance of the food matrix and dietary context in modulating health outcomes. It also aligns with the broader understanding that isolated nutrients may not replicate the effects of whole-food consumption. The reviewed studies primarily involved participants without existing cardiovascular disease, suggesting that EVOO may have a preventive role in general populations. The results support the hypothesis that including EVOO as part of a healthy dietary pattern can contribute to improved body composition and modest reductions in adiposity. Taken together, these intervention studies provide encouraging evidence that EVOO, when integrated into a balanced diet, may aid in obesity prevention and body weight regulation. Additional research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods is warranted to confirm and expand upon these findings (Figure 12.1).
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