Fish Oil and Body Composition in Overweight Teenage Boys
Author Information
Author(s): Maiken Højgaard Pedersen, Christian Mølgaard, Lars Ingvar Hellgren, Jeppe Matthiessen, Jens Juul Holst, Lotte Lauritzen
Primary Institution: Department of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen
Hypothesis
Do n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids increase lipid oxidation and improve body composition in slightly overweight teenage boys?
Conclusion
Fish oil supplementation did not result in beneficial effects on resting metabolic rate, lipid oxidation, or body composition in slightly overweight teenage boys.
Supporting Evidence
- The boys in the FO-group significantly reduced fat intake compared with baseline.
- Whole body fat percentage decreased in all boys after the intervention.
- No group differences were significant for metabolic rate or body composition.
Takeaway
The study tested if fish oil could help slightly overweight boys lose weight or improve their body health, but it didn't work.
Methodology
Seventy-eight boys aged 13–15 were randomly assigned to consume bread with fish oil or vegetable oil for 16 weeks, alongside lifestyle counseling.
Potential Biases
Participants and investigators were blinded to treatment, but compliance and dietary reporting may introduce bias.
Limitations
The study did not reach the intended dose of fish oil, and the lifestyle intervention had limited success in changing physical activity levels.
Participant Demographics
Seventy-eight slightly overweight boys aged 13-15 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.02
Statistical Significance
p<0.02
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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