To characterize the prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in adolescents and its association with cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRFs), highlighting the significance of these findings for public health.
Key Findings:
Prevalence of MASLD in adolescents was 23.77%, indicating a significant public health concern. Isolated overweight/obesity was the most common CMRF at 35%. Non-Hispanic Black adolescents had the highest rates of overweight/obesity and elevated glucose, while non-Hispanic Asians showed the highest burden of dyslipidemia. Overweight/obesity significantly correlated with increased CAP values and had additive interactions with dyslipidemia and elevated glucose.
Interpretation:
The high prevalence of MASLD among adolescents, particularly linked to overweight/obesity and other CMRFs, indicates a pressing public health concern that may lead to serious long-term health consequences, necessitating immediate action.
Limitations:
The study is cross-sectional, limiting causal inferences. Data on CMRFs and liver steatosis were self-reported and may be subject to bias, potentially affecting the reliability of the findings. The sample may not fully represent all demographic groups within the adolescent population, which could limit the generalizability of the results.
Conclusion:
The study highlights the alarming prevalence of MASLD in adolescents, emphasizing the urgent need for early identification and intervention strategies targeting overweight/obesity and associated CMRFs.
