Research Article Details

Article ID: A24591
PMID: 22717644
Source: Endocrinol Nutr
Title: [Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and its association with clinical and biochemical variables in obese children and adolescents: effect of a one-year intervention on lifestyle].
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To study the frequency of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), its relationship to clinical and biochemical variables, and the effect 12-month's lifestyle intervention in obese children and adolescents. METHODS: Thirty-six obese patients aged 7 to 18 years, 42% female and 58% male, 72.2% prepubertal and 27.8% pubertal, were selected. Anthropometric measurements and glucose, insulin (baseline and after a glucose load), lipid profile, C-reactive protein, and aminotransferase tests were performed before and 12 months after dietary and physical activity intervention. Liver ultrasound was performed to determine the presence of NAFLD. RESULTS: NAFLD was found in 66.7% (n=24), and was mild in 30.6%, moderate in 27.8%, and severe in 8.3%. Subjects with NAFLD had higher body mass index (BMI, p=0.007), waist (p=0.005), fat area (p=0.002), basal insulin (p=0.01), and HOMA-IR (p=0.008) values and lower QUICKI (p=0.02) values than those with no NAFLD. After intervention, physical activity increased (p=0.0001) and calorie intake remained unchanged. NAFLD disappeared in 9 patients (37.5%, p=0.02) and disease severity decreased in 3 patients (12.5%). In addition, BMI Z-score (p=0.005), fat area (p=0.0001), basal insulin (p<0.05), insulin resistance (p<0.005), lipid profile (p<0.03), and transaminases decreased. Weight loss was the main variable accounting for NAFLD improvement. CONCLUSION: This group of obese children and adolescents showed a high frequency of NAFLD. The lifestyle intervention with weight reduction is effective for the treatment of NAFLD.
DOI: 10.1016/j.endonu.2012.05.002