| Controlling mechanisms of appetite and food intake is an important issue for a variety of different typesof athletes. Previous studies showed omega-3 fatty acid increased appetite in patients, but results inhealthy individuals are inconclusive. This study assessed the effect of omega-3 fatty acid supplementson food intake and appetite in young male athletes with normal body fat percentage. In a three-weekdouble-blind placebo-controlled RCT in Tabriz, Iran (2019), 72 male athletes, age 22.2 (±2.5) y with13.9 (8.5) body fat percent were randomized to either an omega-3 (2000 mg/day; EPA: 360 mg, DHA:240 mg) or placebo (2000 mg/day paraffin) group. 3-day food diaries were completed before and after theintervention. Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Appetite was assessedby visual analog scale (VAS) before and after each week of intervention. Results showed carbohydrateintake increased in the omega-3 group (MD = 65.8 g; 95% CI = 9.1, 70.1; P = 0.03). VAS score for satietydecreased. Hunger sensation, desire to eat, and desire to eat sweet foods increased in each of the threeweeks. In conclusion, our findings showed that omega-3 supplementation increased appetite in healthyathletes without significant change in body fat percentage. Further research is needed to generalize theresults to other populations. |