Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and childhood obesity

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in children and adolescents has an estimated prevalence of 36.1% in the context of obesity. This figure is anticipated to increase in conjunction with the global obesity epidemic. Worryingly, NAFLD in childhood persisting into adulthood is likely to be harmful, contributing to significant hepatic and extrahepatic morbidities. Early disease detection is required, although the optimum timing, frequency and mode of screening remains undetermined. While the efficacy of several medications, antioxidants, fatty acid supplements and probiotics has been investigated in children, healthy eating and physical activity remain the only prevention and treatment strategies for paediatric NAFLD. This short review discusses the epidemiology, diagnosis, pathogenesis and management of NAFLD in childhood obesity.

Health disparities in cardiometabolic risk among Black and Hispanic youth in the United States

“…Genetic risk for childhood NAFLD has been shown to vary by race and ethnicity, with Hispanics and Whites having higher genetic risk scores compared to other groups [51] . A PNPLA3 variant has emerged as an important genetic risk factor for NAFLD in Hispanic children, especially those with indigenous ancestry [52] . The I148M variant is associated with increased liver fat and inflammation.…”

Impact of vitamin E on redox biomarkers in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

“…The prevalence is even higher, namely 70%, in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus [ 3 ]. Due to the rise in childhood obesity, NAFLD is becoming a significant pediatric problem as well, with an estimated 36% of obese children affected [ 5 ]. The actual prevalence may be even higher, as NAFLD is considered a silent disease with few symptoms until the late stages.…”

A influência da atividade física na doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica

“…É considerada uma doença multissistêmica que aumenta o risco de cirrose e carcinoma hepatocelular, além de contribuir para o desenvolvimento de diabetes mellitus tipo 2, doença cardiovascular e doença renal crônica. Histologicamente, a DHGNA é caracterizada por esteatose que afeta mais de 5% dos hepatócitos, e a esteatose com inflamação leve pode progredir para EHNA, com aumento da inflamação, lesão de hepatócitos e fibrose 2 . Estima-se que a DHGNA substitua a hepatite viral como o principal fator para doença hepática terminal e transplante de fígado até 2023 3 .…”

“…A adiposidade, definida pelo índice de massa corporal (IMC), é um importante fator para desenvolvimento de DHGNA. O risco relacionado a adiposidade é predominantemente atribuído ao desenvolvimento de resistência à insulina (RI) e disfunção do tecido adiposo nesses indivíduos 2 .…”