The western dietary pattern is prospectively associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in adolescence

Wendy H. Oddy, Carly E. Herbison, Peter A Jacoby, Gina L. Ambrosini, Therese A. O'Sullivan, Oyekoya T. Ayonrinde, John K Olynyk, Lucinda J. Black, Lawrence J. Beilin, Trevor A Mori, Beth P. Hands, Leon A. Adams

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Abstract

Objectives: Poor dietary habits have been implicated in the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); however, little is known about the role of specific dietary patterns in the development of NAFLD. We examined prospective associations between dietary patterns and NAFLD in a population-based cohort of adolescents. Methods: Participants in the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study completed a food frequency questionnaire at 14 years and had liver ultrasound at 17 years (n=995). Healthy and Western dietary patterns were identified using factor analysis and all participants received a z-score for these patterns. Prospective associations between the dietary pattern scores and risk of NAFLD were analyzed using multiple logistic regression. Results: NAFLD was present in 15.2% of adolescents. A higher Western dietary pattern score at 14 years was associated with a greater risk of NAFLD at 17 years (odds ratio (OR) 1.59; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17-2.14; P<0.005), although these associations were no longer significant after adjusting for body mass index at 14 years. However, a healthy dietary pattern at 14 years appeared protective against NAFLD at 17 years in centrally obese adolescents (OR 0.63; 95% CI 0.41-0.96; P=0.033), whereas a Western dietary pattern was associated with an increased risk of NAFLD. Conclusions: A Western dietary pattern at 14 years in a general population sample was associated with an increased risk of NAFLD at 17 years, particularly in obese adolescents. In centrally obese adolescents with NAFLD, a healthy dietary pattern may be protective, whereas a Western dietary pattern may increase the risk.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)778-785
Number of pages8
JournalAmerican Journal of Gastroenterology
Volume108
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2013
Externally publishedYes

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