Yitao Wang, Xuan Zheng, Xishun Huang, Meixuan Luo, YanYan Zeng, Jiao Yi, Sumei Lin, Xiaohua Luo
Journal: The American journal of the medical sciences 2025;369(3):373-379
PMID: 39454726
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common condition where too much fat builds up in the liver, not caused by alcohol. It often occurs in people who are overweight or obese. One of the best ways to manage NAFLD is through therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLC) - a combination of healthy eating, regular exercise, and behaviour change. This study aimed to determine how TLC intervention affects weight loss, metabolic indicators, and the delay of NAFLD development in NAFLD patients with overweight/obesity. This research was a randomised controlled trial that enrolled 120 overweight/ obese patients with NAFLD. Participants were randomly assigned to the control or the intervention groups at a ratio of 1:1. The results showed that the participants in the TLC group lost weight and reduced waist size and body mass index. They had lower levels of harmful blood fats (total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein) and increased their good cholesterol (HDL), muscle mass, and basal metabolic rate. Participants in the TLC group also had a significant reduction in liver fat and reported better quality of life. The authors concluded that TLC can effectively reduce liver fat, improve metabolic health, and support weight loss in people with NAFLD, helping to prevent disease progression and improve well-being. These findings are clinically relevant for healthcare practitioners because they reinforce the value of structured lifestyle interventions as a frontline treatment for NAFLD, especially in overweight or obese patients.
BACKGROUND
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a liver condition that is increasing globally. Unfortunately, there are no successful or approved pharmacological treatments for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the effect of therapeutic lifestyle changes on patients with overweight/obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
METHODS
A prospective, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial was conducted. The patients were randomized into intervention and control groups using tables with random numbers. In the control group, routine health guidance was provided for 3 months, while in the intervention group, diversified lifestyle intervention was provided. The body composition, visceral fat area, abdominal circumference, and body mass index of the control and intervention groups were compared before and after the intervention. Descriptive statistics, paired t-tests, and linear regression models were used for data analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 115 participants (57 in the intervention group and 58 in the control group) completed the study. The intervention groups had significantly greater high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, basal metabolic rate, muscle mass, and questionnaire scores than the control groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the intervention participants had lower body mass index, abdominal circumference, triglyceride levels, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and fatty liver index (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Therapeutic lifestyle changes therapy for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients with overweight/obesity can significantly control body mass index, improve blood lipid levels, reduce fatty liver and body fat rates, improve basic metabolism, alleviate disease, and improve quality of life. More research is needed to determine the long-term impact of therapeutic lifestyle changes in high-risk groups.
Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.
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