Factors Associated With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Obese Adolescents

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common cause of liver disease in children and adolescents. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of NAFLD in a sample of obese adolescents and to identify the clinical and biochemical characteristics in subjects with NAFLD.

Design and Settings: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 366 adolescents. The data were collected from June 2011 to July 2012.

Patients and Methods:  The study included 202 females and 164 males. All were subjected to anthropometric, biochemical and ultrasongraphic assessment.

Results: The prevalence of NAFLD in general was 57.65% (62.19% for males and 53.96% for females). Results showed statistical gender difference. There were statistical differences in BMI, WC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C, body fat percentage (BF %), subcutaneous fat layers, visceral fat and ALT between NAFLD group and non- NAFLD group in both genders. The prevalence of obesity was significantly higher in the NAFLD group than non NAFLD group. The present study showed that 58.29% of NAFLD were obese in which 49 % of males and 67% of females.

Conclusion: Abdominal obesity and dyslipidemia are risk factors for NAFLD. Prevalence of NAFLD among obese adolescents is high and prevention is extremely important.