Table 3 Meta-analysis showing the effects of n-3 PUFA supplementation on appetite in overall analysis as well subgroup analysis (all analyses were conducted using a random effect model)

Total visual analog score

 All studies

8

0.458 (− 0.327, 1.242)

0.253

140.49

 < 0.001

95

Health status

 < 0.001

 Healthy

2

1.522 (− 1.013, 4.057)

0.23

31.18

 < 0.001

96.8

 Obese

2

 − 0.547 (− 2.11, 1.015)

0.493

16.93

 < 0.001

94.1

 Cancer

2

 − 0.137 (− 0.522,0.248)

0.486

0.29

0.589

0.0

 Anxiety & Alzheimer

2

1.021 (− 0.640, 2.681)

0.228

38.18

 < 0.001

97.4

Dose of intervention

 1000–3000 mg/d

5

0.33 (− 0.92, 1.58)

0.60

91.47

 < 0.001

95.6

 < 0.001

  ≥ 4000 mg/d

2

0.12 (− 0.13, 0.38)

0.34

0.58

0.44

0.0

Risk of bias

 < 0.001

 Low risk

2

1.522 (− 1.013, 4.057)

0.239

31.18

 < 0.001

96.8

 Unknown

5

 − 0.22 (− 0.75, 0.30)

0.40

24.33

 < 0.001

83.6

 High risk

1

1.87 (1.42, 2.32)

 < 0.001

51.36

 < 0.001

94.2

Hunger score

4

1.007 (− 0.139, 2.153)

0.08

47.31

 < 0.001

93.7

Satiety score

4

0.983 (− 0.597, 2.564)

0.22

83.68

 < 0.001

96.4

Desire to eat score

4

1.073 (0.116, 2.029)

0.02

33.21

 < 0.001

91.0