Min J, Kim SY, Shin IS, et al. - This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis analyzing the impacts of meal replacement (MR)-based diets vs food-based diets on weight loss, according to calorie-restriction types and energy intake proportions from MR. From January 2000 to May 2020, electronic databases (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, Embase, and Research Information Sharing Service) were searched for randomized controlled trials comparing the weight loss results of MR-based calorie-restricted diets to food-based calorie-restricted diets. Twenty-two studies with 24 interventions and 1,982 overweight or obese patients were included. The effect of MR-based low-energy diet (LED) on weight loss was superior to that of food-based LED, with receiving ≥ 60% of total daily energy intake from MR having the greatest effect on weight loss.