Abstract

BACKGROUND: /Aims: Studies evaluating the association of 2018 Physical Activity (PA) Guidelines for Americans (PA Guidelines) with nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) and significant fibrosis/cirrhosis are needed. We evaluated the association of meeting PA Guidelines with NAFLD and significant fibrosis/cirrhosis by transient elastography in the US.METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was performed using the 2017-2018 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. NAFLD and significant fibrosis/cirrhosis were defined by transient elastography in the absence of other causes of chronic liver disease. The detailed PA questionnaire assessed the leisure-time, occupation, and transportation-related PA. PA was categorized based on the PA Guidelines.RESULTS: Of the 4,304 subjects, leisure-time PA, which met the PA Guidelines (=150 minutes/week), was associated with 44% lower risk of NAFLD (odds ratio [OR]: 0.56, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.46-0.67). Subjects who reported 1-2 times (150-299 minutes/week) or over 2 times (=300 minutes/week) the recommended amount of PA Guidelines had 40% (OR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.41-0.90) and 49% (OR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.40-0.65) lower odds of NAFLD, respectively. Over 8 hours of sitting time had a 44% higher risk of NAFLD (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.01-2.05), when we considered leisure-time PA and sitting time simultaneously. Over 2 times (=300 minutes/week) recommended amount of PA Guidelines for leisure-time PA had 59% (OR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.22-0.74) lower risk for significant fibrosis and 63% (OR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.21-0.64) lower odds of cirrhosis.CONCLUSIONS: Meeting PA Guidelines for leisure-time PA has beneficial effects on NAFLD and over two times recommended amount of PA Guidelines had lower risk for significant fibrosis or cirrhosis.

View details for DOI 10.1016/j.cgh.2021.06.029

View details for PubMedID 34214678