Long term nutritional intake and the risk for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): a population based study.
OBJECTIVE
Weight loss is considered therapeutic for patients with NAFLD. However, there is no epidemiological evidence that dietary habits are associated with NAFLD. Dietary patterns associated with primary NAFLD were investigated.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study of a sub-sample (n=375) of the Israeli National Health and Nutrition Survey. Exclusion criteria were any known etiology for secondary NAFLD. Participants underwent an abdominal ultrasound, biochemical tests, dietary and anthropometric evaluations. A semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire was administered.


RESULTS
After exclusion, 349 volunteers (52.7% male, mean age 50.7+/-10.4, 30.9% primary NAFLD) were included. The NAFLD group consumed almost twice the amount of soft drinks (P=0.03) and 27% more meat (P<0.001). In contrast, the NAFLD group consumed somewhat less fish rich in omega-3 (P=0.056). Adjusting for age, gender, BMI and total calories, intake of soft drinks and meat was significantly associated with an increased risk for NAFLD (OR=1.45, 1.13-1.85 95% CI and OR=1.37, 1.04-1.83 95% CI, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
NAFLD patients have a higher intake of soft drinks and meat and a tendency towards a lower intake of fish rich in omega-3. Moreover, a higher intake of soft drinks and meat is associated with an increased risk of NAFLD, independently of age, gender, BMI and total calories.
Zelber-Sagi
Shira
S
The Liver Unit, Department of Gastroenterology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv 64239, Israel.
Nitzan-Kaluski
Dorit
D
Goldsmith
Rebecca
R
Webb
Muriel
M
Blendis
Laurie
L
Halpern
Zamir
Z
Oren
Ran
R
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D001628:Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology*; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005396:Fish Products / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3