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PapersPMID:26571503

Does Fish Oil Have an Anti-Obesity Effect in Overweight/Obese Adults? A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

PloS one2015The record ↗

findings
3
compound
1
endpoints
3
no difference found
1
PMID:26571503
  1. Finding, moderate evidencelowersWaist circumference
  2. Finding, moderate evidencelowersWaist-to-hip ratio
  3. Finding, moderate evidenceno difference foundBody mass index
Study, every finding
meta-analysis

What moved

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  • Decreases waist circumference

    moderate

    “The calculated results indicated that fish oil could significantly reduce waist circumference (SMD = -0.16, 95% CI -0.31 to -0.02, P = 0.03; Fig 2C).”
    Effect
    −0.16 standardised mean difference, 95% CI −0.31 to −0.02
    Population
    Overweight or obese adults (BMI 25 or more, 18 years or older), fish oil alone or combined with caloric restriction or exercise programmes given to both arms; change in waist circumference, 19 comparisons
  • Decreases waist-to-hip ratio

    moderate

    “The calculated results suggested that fish oil could significantly reduce WHR (SMD = -0.52, 95% CI -0.76 to -0.27, P <0.0005; Fig 2D).”
    Effect
    −0.52 standardised mean difference, 95% CI −0.76 to −0.27
    Population
    Overweight or obese adults (BMI 25 or more, 18 years or older), fish oil alone or combined with caloric restriction or exercise programmes given to both arms; change in waist-to-hip ratio, 11 comparisons

What did not

  • No detected effect on body mass index

    moderate

    “The calculated results indicated that fish oil was not associated with a significant reduction in BMI (SMD = -0.09, 95% CI -0.22 to 0.03, P = 0.14; Fig 2B).”
    Effect
    −0.09 standardised mean difference, 95% CI −0.22 to 0.03
    Population
    Overweight or obese adults (BMI 25 or more, 18 years or older), fish oil alone or combined with caloric restriction or exercise programmes given to both arms; change in BMI, 27 comparisons

Study record

Design
meta-analysis
Species
human
Population
Overweight/obese adults (BMI >=25, >=18 y) in 21 RCTs (30 comparisons) of fish oil capsules (one study marine food) versus placebo/control for >=4 weeks, alone or combined with life modification (diet restriction and/or exercise)
Participants
1,652
Comparator
placebo
Duration
not reported
Endpoints measured
54