The effect of omega-3 fatty acids on aggression: A meta-analysis

Forfatter(e)

Gajos, J. M. Beaver, K. M.

År

2016

DOI

10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.07.017

Tidsskrift

Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews

Sider

147-158

Kategori(er)

Atferdsproblemer, antisosial atferd og atferdsforstyrrelser

Tiltakstype(r)

Kosttilskudd og ernæring

Abstract

Evidence suggests that omega-3 fatty acids are important for a variety of mental health outcomes and have been shown to improve both mood and behaviors.

However, there is little consensus on whether omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for reducing aggressive behaviors. The current study assesses the relationship between omega-3 fatty acids and aggression. A total of 73 effect sizes were calculated among 40 studies involving 7173 participants from both intervention and observational research designs.

Effect sizes were separately meta-analyzed for two-group comparison studies (SMD = 0.20), pre-post contrast studies (ESsg: = 0.62), and associational studies (r = -0.06), in the fixed-effect model. Results from the random-effects model also suggest a range of effects of omega-3 fatty acids on reducing aggression (SMD = 0.24; ESsg: = 0.82; r = -0.09).

Patterns in the relationship between omega-3s and aggression were additionally observed. Moderator analyses indicated that the effect of omega-3s on aggression is conditioned by how aggressive behaviors are measured, such as through self-report or parent/teacher surveys.