Omega-3 supplementation in the treatment of overweight and obese children and adolescents: A systematic review

• Main Authors: Cintia Chaves Curioni, Nelson Nilton Roig Alves, Lilia Zago
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2019-01-01
• Series: Journal of Functional Foods
• Subjects: Omega-3; Obesity; Children; Adolescents; Systematic review
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464618305887

This systematic review summarized the role of omega-3 supplementation on anthropometric markers, lipid profile, inflammation markers and glucose metabolism in the treatment of overweight/obese children and adolescents. A total of 8 randomized clinical trials were included with intervention period ranging from 8 weeks to 12 months and participant age from 10.8 to 17.1 years. Results showed that omega-3 decreased triglyceride levels (n = 3), plasma glycemia (n = 2) and plasma insulin (n = 2) levels, as well as, increased LDL-c (n = 3), HDL-c (n = 2), plasma glycemia levels (n = 1), indicating conflicting results for lipid profile and markers of glucose metabolism. No significant effect of omega-3 on anthropometric measurements, blood pressure levels or inflammation markers was found. Only one included study met the criteria for low risk of bias. Although the use of omega-3 for treatment of overweight/obese children and adolescents is promising, results are inconsistent and further high quality studies are needed to fill gaps in knowledge.