title: Does physical inactivity cause nonalcoholic fatty liver disease?
abstract: While physical activity represents a key element in the prevention and management of many chronic diseases, we and others believe that physical inactivity is a primary cause of obesity and associated metabolic disorders. Unfortunately, accumulating evidence suggests that we have engineered physical activity out of our normal daily living activity. One such consequence of our sedentary and excessive lifestyle is nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is now considered the most common cause of chronic liver disease in Westernized societies. In this review, we will present evidence that physical inactivity, low aerobic fitness, and overnutrition, either separately or in combination, are an underlying cause of NAFLD.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Internal Medicine-Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA. rectors@health.missouri.edu
authors.forename: R Scott
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Rector
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Thyfault
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; D044343:Overnutrition / Q000150:complications; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011634:Public Health; D012307:Risk Factors; D057185:Sedentary Behavior