Design and Methods: Articles were extracted from three databases: Academic Search Ultimate, PubMed, and CINAHL Plus using key words such as “isocaloric meals”, “small frequent meals” and “adult overweight/obesity”. A 9-point inclusion criteria that included: randomized controlled trials, overweight/obese adults aged 18 years and older, consumption of traditional and small frequent meals, and outcomes that included body composition (e.g. BMI kg/m2, body fat percentage, waist circumference) aided in extraction of articles. Data extraction and evaluation of the articles was assessed using the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Evidence Based Manual. 

Results: A total of 1,486 articles were obtained. Six articles met the inclusion criteria. Over the short-term period, less than 12 months, results showed that regardless of the meals consumed (<5 or >5) adults had a significant reduction in their BMI and fat mass when participating in nutrition education and physical activity compared to adults who consumed >5 small-meals per day and did not participate in nutrition education and physical activity. 

Conclusions: This systematic review provides evidence that individuals who consume small frequent meals with the combination of exercise and nutrition and/or behavioral education reduces overall body composition compared to individuals who did not participate in exercise or education regardless of the number of meals consumed.