Alblaji, Mansour, Gray, Stuart, Westrop, Sophie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3776-0543 and Malkova, Dalia (2025) Effects of long-chain n-3 fatty acids supplementation during caloric restriction on body composition in overweight and obese adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Food Science and Nutrition. (In Press)

Text (Systematic Review) Alblaji_et_al.2025 Accepted Clean Manuscript.docx - Accepted Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (900kB)

Abstract

Aims: This systematic review aimed to determine whether caloric restriction-induced reduction in body fat and fat-free mass can be amended by supplementation with long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Methods: Databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and EMBASE, were searched for papers published from the time the databases were created until November 1, 2023. Random-effects model meta-analyses were conducted using Review Manager 5.4.1 software. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using the I2. A standardised mean difference with a 95% confidence interval was calculated, and pooled effects were assessed.
Results: The initial search identified 1527 articles, and eleven studies met the review inclusion criteria with a total of 637 participants included. The participants’ ages ranged between 18 and 61 years with a mean body mass index ranging between 27 and 36 kg/m2. The changes in fat-free mass (standardised mean difference = 0.12, 95%CI -0.14 to 0.37, P = 0.36; I2:35%) and fat mass (standardised mean difference = - 0.01; 95% CI -0.25 to 0.24; P = 0.96; I2: 46%) were not different between intervention and control groups.
Conclusion: The current review indicates that long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation during caloric restriction neither attenuates the decline in fat-free mass nor enhances the reduction in fat mass. Considering the small number of studies and interventions included, further research is needed to investigate the effectiveness of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation during caloric restriction.

Item Type:	Article
Status:	In Press
Subjects:	Q Science > Q Science (General) R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
School/Department:	School of Education, Language and Psychology
Institutes:	Institute for Health and Care Improvement
URI:	https://ray.yorksj.ac.uk/id/eprint/11863

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