Ultrasound Study Links Childhood Inactivity to Higher Liver Disease Risk in Young Adults

A recent study presented at the ENDO 2024 conference and published in npj Gut and Liver reveals that children who spend over six hours daily in sedentary activities face a heightened risk of severe fatty liver disease and cirrhosis by young adulthood. Led by Prof. Andrew Agbaje from the University of Eastern Finland, the study analyzed data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), involving 2,684 participants who wore waist accelerometers to track activity levels from ages 11 to 24. Liver ultrasounds and blood tests conducted at ages 17 and 24 revealed that prolonged sedentariness in childhood was closely linked to liver scarring and fat buildup, with each additional half-hour of sedentary time increasing the odds of fatty liver disease by 15%. Children initially spent about six hours daily in light-intensity physical activities, offsetting the effects of their sedentary time. However, by young adulthood, sedentary time rose to nine hours, and the prevalence of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD) surged from 2.5% at age 17 to 20% by age 24. This rise, observed primarily in those with reduced light-intensity activity, was unexpectedly rapid, with MASLD cases resembling typical rates seen in middle age. Encouragingly, Agbaje’s team found that engaging in three hours of light-intensity activity daily, such as walking, playing, or biking, cut the risk of severe fatty liver disease by 33% and helped prevent liver damage progression. Although moderate-to-vigorous physical activity had limited impact on cirrhosis prevention, Agbaje emphasizes that overlooked light-intensity activities may be a key strategy against childhood sedentary lifestyles. Funded by organizations including the European Association for the Study of Obesity and the Finnish Foundation for Cardiovascular Research, the study underscores the need for awareness around sedentariness and its long-term impact on children’s liver health.

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