The effect of a Mediterranean diet vs. a low-fat diet on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in children: a randomized trial

Akbulut U. E., Isik I. A., Atalay A., Eraslan A., Durmus E., Turkmen S., ...More

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCES AND NUTRITION, vol.73, no.3, pp.357-366, 2022 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 73 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/09637486.2021.1979478
  • Journal Name: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCES AND NUTRITION
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), BIOSIS, Biotechnology Research Abstracts, CAB Abstracts, CINAHL, EMBASE, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, MEDLINE, SportDiscus, Veterinary Science Database
  • Page Numbers: pp.357-366
  • Keywords: Obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Mediterranean diet, low-fat diet, randomised controlled trial, LIFE-STYLE INTERVENTIONS, HEPATIC STEATOSIS, EXPERT COMMITTEE, BODY-WEIGHT, OBESITY, RECOMMENDATIONS, OVERWEIGHT, PREVENTION
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming ever more common in children, due to the increasing global prevalence of obesity. The first-line treatment consists of weight loss through a combination of a healthy diet and exercise. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a Mediterranean Diet or a low-fat diet on reducing hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance in children with NAFLD. This 12-week randomised clinical trial was conducted with children aged 9-17 years diagnosed with NAFLD and randomised into either a Mediterranean Diet or a low-fat diet group. By the end of the study, hepatic steatosis had decreased significantly in both groups (p < 0.001). Liver enzymes also improved significantly, while significant decreases were observed in insulin resistance in both groups, although this decrease was greater in the Mediterranean Diet group (p = 0.010). This study demonstrated that a decrease in hepatic steatosis and an improvement in insulin sensitivity can be achieved with both a Mediterranean Diet and a low-fat diet over 12 weeks, with no significant decrease in the energy required for growth, in children with NAFLD.