TY - JOUR
T1 - Omega-3 supplements in the prevention and treatment of youth depression and anxiety symptoms
T2 - A scoping review
AU - Reily, Natalie
AU - Tang, Samantha
AU - Negrone, Ashlee A.
AU - Gan, Daniel Z. Q. A.
AU - Sheanoda, Veronica A.
AU - Christensen, Helen A.
PY - 2023/4/20
Y1 - 2023/4/20
N2 - IntroductionOmega-3 supplements may be efficacious in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety in adults, particularly as an adjunct to antidepressant medication. However, research in young people is limited. Thus, this scoping review aimed to summarise existing evidence on the efficacy of omega-3 supplementation in treating depression and anxiety symptoms in young people aged 14-24. A secondary aim was to determine whether grey literature intended for the general public accurately reflects the evidence. MethodFour databases (Cochrane CENTRAL, EmBASE, PsycINFO, PubMed) were searched from inception to 4(th) August 2021. Eligible peer-reviewed studies were empirical studies which examined the efficacy of omega-3 supplements in preventing/treating anxiety and/or depression symptoms in young people aged 14-24. Risk of bias was assessed for randomised studies using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Selected grey literature databases were also searched, with eligible sources assessed for quality. A stakeholder group including young people with lived experience of anxiety/depression, parents/carers and mental health professionals informed the research questions and data interpretation. Findings were summarised using narrative synthesis. Results17 empirical studies (N = 1240 participants) meeting inclusion criteria were identified. Studies varied in treatment and participant characteristics. In general, the data did not support the view that omega-3 supplements were efficacious in improving symptoms of anxiety or depression in young people aged 14-24. In contrast, most grey literature sources recommended the use of omega-3 supplements in young people. DiscussionEvidence for efficacy of omega-3 supplementation in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety in young people was inconclusive. More research is needed to identify potential mechanisms and moderators of the effect of omega-3 supplements on depression and anxiety symptoms in young people.
AB - IntroductionOmega-3 supplements may be efficacious in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety in adults, particularly as an adjunct to antidepressant medication. However, research in young people is limited. Thus, this scoping review aimed to summarise existing evidence on the efficacy of omega-3 supplementation in treating depression and anxiety symptoms in young people aged 14-24. A secondary aim was to determine whether grey literature intended for the general public accurately reflects the evidence. MethodFour databases (Cochrane CENTRAL, EmBASE, PsycINFO, PubMed) were searched from inception to 4(th) August 2021. Eligible peer-reviewed studies were empirical studies which examined the efficacy of omega-3 supplements in preventing/treating anxiety and/or depression symptoms in young people aged 14-24. Risk of bias was assessed for randomised studies using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Selected grey literature databases were also searched, with eligible sources assessed for quality. A stakeholder group including young people with lived experience of anxiety/depression, parents/carers and mental health professionals informed the research questions and data interpretation. Findings were summarised using narrative synthesis. Results17 empirical studies (N = 1240 participants) meeting inclusion criteria were identified. Studies varied in treatment and participant characteristics. In general, the data did not support the view that omega-3 supplements were efficacious in improving symptoms of anxiety or depression in young people aged 14-24. In contrast, most grey literature sources recommended the use of omega-3 supplements in young people. DiscussionEvidence for efficacy of omega-3 supplementation in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety in young people was inconclusive. More research is needed to identify potential mechanisms and moderators of the effect of omega-3 supplements on depression and anxiety symptoms in young people.
KW - Polyunsaturated fatty-acids
KW - Mental-health
KW - Young-people
KW - Psychotic disorders
KW - Double-blind
KW - Adolescents
KW - Efficacy
KW - Omega-3-fatty-acids
KW - Risk
KW - Inflammation
UR - https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=anu_research_portal_plus2&SrcAuth=WosAPI&KeyUT=WOS:000985308900099&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=WOS_CPL
U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0284057
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0284057
M3 - Review article
C2 - 37079580
SN - 1932-6203
VL - 18
JO - PLoS ONE
JF - PLoS ONE
IS - 4
M1 - e0284057
ER -