Fish consumption and risk of depression: a meta-analysis
Abstract
Background: The association between fish consumption and risk of depression is controversial. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the association. Methods: A literature search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science database for all relevant studies up to March 2015. We pooled the relative risks (RRs) with 95% CIs from individual studies with random effects model, and conducted meta-regression to explore potential sources of heterogeneity. Publication bias was estimated by Egger's test and the funnel plot. Results: A total of 26 studies involving 150 278 participants were included in the present meta-analysis. The pooled RR of depression for the highest versus lowest consumption of fish was 0.83 (95% CI 0.74 to 0.93). The findings remained significant in the cohort studies (RR=0.84, 95% CI 0.75 to 0.94, n=10) as well as in the cross-sectional studies (RR=0.82, 95% CI 0.68 to 1.00, n=16). When men and women were analysed separately, a significant inverse association was also observed. There was no evidence of publication bias. Conclusions: This meta-analysis indicates that high-fish consumption can reduce the risk of depression.
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A 2016 meta-analysis of 26 studies found a 17% lower risk of depression associated with a higher fish intake.
“Indeed, a 2016 meta-analysis of 26 studies found a 17% lower risk of depression associated with a higher fish intake [126].”
From Role of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in human nutrition and health: Review of recent studies and recommendations (2021) · cites this paper as [126]
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- Authors
- Li, F., Liu, X., & Zhang, D.
- Affiliations
- Qingdao University (CN)
- Corresponding author
- Zhang, Dongfeng
- Venue
- Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
- Publisher
- BMJ
- Published
- 2015-09-10
- Volume
- 70
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 299-304
- ISSN
- 0141-7681 (ISSN-L)
- 0143-005X
- 1470-2738
- OpenAlex
- W2112935177
- Cited by
- 184
- References
- 36
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 28 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 23 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 20 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 1
- FWCI
- 2.10
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Fatty Acid Research and Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutritional Studies and Diet
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Keywords
- fish consumption, depression, depression risk, omega-3 fatty acids, dietary factors, sex differences
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Depression, Diet, Fish Products, Fishes, Humans, Risk Factors
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