One Harmful Effect of Obesity: Fatty Liver Also Occurs in Young Children

According to a new study by Columbia University, fatty liver can occur even at age 8 in children with obesity.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease results from excess fat accumulating in the liver, triggering inflammation , which causes liver damage. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common chronic liver disease in adults and children, affecting approximately 80 million people in the United States alone. It usually causes no symptoms (complaints), but over time it can lead to liver cirrhosis or liver cancer.

• What Is Fatty Liver, Why Does It Develop and What Problems Does It Cause?

It is increasingly recognized that obesity can cause type 2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders, but it is less widely known that obesity can cause serious liver disease even in young children.

• Every Extra Kilo Takes Away from Life—Results of a 25-Year Obesity Study Covering 195 Countries

The study discussed here found that children between ages 3 and 8 with larger waist circumferences had signs of fatty liver. Previous studies focused on young people and adolescents, but this study investigated fatty liver risk factors in young children. In this prospective (forward-looking) study involving 635 children and women, researchers measured blood levels of the liver enzyme called ALT . ALT is a marker of liver damage, and its blood levels rise in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and other liver conditions. Journal of Pediatricspublished the research, which found that children who gained more weight between ages 3-8 had a greater risk of higher ALT blood levels.

Approximately 35% of children who were obese at age 8 had higher-than-normal ALT levels.

• Obesity Testing: How Is Obesity Calculated? Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference Measurements

This is the first study to show that weight gain may negatively affect liver health in children younger than 8. In summary, it found that having a larger waist circumference at ages 3-5 increased the likelihood of having signs of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by age 8.

Recommendations for You and Your Children Based on These Study Results

• If excess weight is a problem, reorganize the family’s diet with guidance from a qualified dietitian.
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet; for example, help children enjoy fruit and vegetables more rather than rewarding them with hamburgers or chocolate, and keep sugary carbonated drinks such as cola out of the home.
• Increase physical activity, such as sports, games, walking, swimming and cycling.
• What Is Healthy Eating?