Nonpharmacological Childhood Obesity Management in Denmark Reduces Steatotic Liver Disease and Obesity

Abstract

Background:

Steatotic liver disease (SLD) represents a multisystem disease and is a common complication of childhood obesity. We studied fat content at the abdominal level (liver, subcutaneous, and visceral) and the response to childhood obesity management.

Methods:

In this retrospective longitudinal study, 8–18-year-olds with a body mass index (BMI) z-score above 1.28 (corresponding to a BMI above the 90th percentile), as a proxy for obesity, were offered person-centered, family-oriented obesity management in a hospital setting and in a magnetic resonance (MR) scan. Liver fat content (LFC) was assessed by MR spectroscopy, whereas subcutaneous adipose tissue and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) were assessed by MR imaging. We conducted nonparametric tests to evaluate baseline-to-follow-up changes and comparisons between participants with and without an MR assessment. Additionally, a logistic regression model examined the association between changes in LFC and BMI z-score.

Results:

The study group comprised 1002 children and adolescents (52% females) with an MR assessment at baseline. The median age was 13.0 years, the median BMI was 28.4, and the BMI z-score was 2.90. At baseline, 378 (38%) exhibited SLD defined by an LFC above 1.5%. Among the 322 with a follow-up MR scan, 76% of the patients with SLD reduced their LFC. BMI z-score and VAT (both p < 0.001) were reduced during intervention.

Conclusions:

SLD is highly prevalent (38%) in children and adolescents with obesity. A chronic care obesity management model reduced the fat content in the liver, the visceral fat, and the degree of obesity.