What exactly is obesity-related fatty liver disease? You may not be familiar with this term. Simply put, it refers to fatty liver caused by obesity. In today's society, obesity remains a significant factor contributing to fatty liver disease. Should obese individuals therefore seek medical evaluation for fatty liver to nip the condition in the bud?
Obesity increases susceptibility to fatty liver disease. This condition is diagnosed when liver lipid content exceeds 10% of the liver's wet weight, or when histological examination reveals hepatic parenchymal steatosis exceeding 30%-50%. Multiple factors contribute to fatty liver disease, including chronic alcohol consumption, dyslipidemia, obesity, and various other illnesses. The prevalence significantly increases among obese individuals with elevated blood lipids.Data indicates that among 80 fatty liver patients, 27 cases (33.8%) were obese.Among 109 obese patients with hyperlipidemia, 56 cases of fatty liver were detected, representing 51%. Both groups showed significantly higher rates than the control group (12.5% and 20.6%, respectively), indicating a notably elevated incidence of fatty liver in obese individuals or those with obesity and hyperlipidemia. This warrants vigilance. The fundamental reason for obesity's predisposition to fatty liver lies in the transfer of fatty acids from the body to the liver in obese patients.
Research indicates that normal liver fat content accounts for approximately 5% of wet liver weight. When systemic fat levels are excessive, the rate of fat and fatty acid influx into the liver, coupled with hepatic triglyceride synthesis, exceeds the rate of very low-density lipoprotein formation and secretion into the bloodstream. This imbalance leads to triglyceride accumulation in the liver. If fat content exceeds 10% of wet liver weight, fatty liver disease develops.Similarly, hyperlipidemia can further promote hepatic fat accumulation and cause fatty liver disease. Individuals who are both obese and hyperlipidemic have a significantly higher incidence of fatty liver disease.