Lifestyle predictors of obese and non-obese patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background & aims: Most people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are obese, and they usually eat more while being less physically active as compared to healthy individuals. However, little is known about the lifestyle patterns of non-obese or obese patients with NAFLD. The aim of this study was to investigate nutrition components and behavioral differences between non-obese and obese patients with NAFLD.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study comprising of 209 patients. Nutritional components and physical activity status were compared in obese and non-obese subjects with NAFLD against healthy controls. Dietary intake was assessed using the 5-day food diary. Physical activity was measured using the protocol of Korea Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Total and regional body composition analysis was conducted using anthropometry and tetrapolar multi-frequency bio-impedance. Visceral adipose tissue, total abdominal adipose tissue, abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue as well as liver fat were measured using abdomen tomography.

Results: Non-obese subjects with NAFLD had higher levels of ALT, AST, GGT, triglyceride, fasting glucose; higher carbohydrate energy ratio; higher visceral fat area, subcutaneous area, body muscle mass, fat free mass and body fat compared to subjects without NAFLD. Subjects with obesity and NAFLD had higher ALT, AST, visceral fat, fasting glucose and HOMA-IR (homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance), and less moderate-level physical activity compared to those with obesity who do not have NAFLD. Obese subjects with NAFLD also had higher blood pressure, visceral fat area, subcutaneous fat area, body fat, body fat percent and GGT compared to non-obese subjects with NAFLD. In multivariate analysis, carbohydrate energy ratio and physical activity less than moderate-level (<2 h/week) were predictors of NAFLD in non-obese subjects independent of the visceral fat, body muscle index, total energy intake, age and sex. Physical activity less than moderate-level was a predictor of NAFLD in obese subjects with NAFLD, independent of the HOMA-IR, visceral fat, total energy intake, fat energy percent, age and sex.

Conclusions: Percentage of carbohydrate intake percent and physical activity, less than moderate-level were independent predictors of NAFLD in non-obese subjects. Meanwhile, physical activity, less than moderate-level, was an independent predictor in obese subjects.

Keywords: Carbohydrate; Non-alcoholic fatty liver; Non-obese.