Nonobese Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: An Important Clinical Entity

Risk factors most commonly associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) include obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. However, there is a distinct subgroup of patients with NAFLD who are not obese. In the current review, researchers coin the term “non-obese NAFLD” and summarize current evidence on its clinical significance and which patients are at risk.

Using a definition of nonobese as body-mass index (BMI) <30 kg/m² in studies of Western populations and <25 kg/m² in studies of Eastern populations, the estimated prevalence of nonobese NAFLD ranges from 7%–21% in the West and 3%–27% in the East.

The following clinical, genetic, and behavioral factors may be important in nonobese NAFLD:

• Visceral abdominal adip…