Abstract
The global prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in children and adolescents is escalating and currently represents the most common chronic liver disease in the paediatric population. NAFLD is associated with high daily caloric intake and sedentary behaviour, with excessive consumption of added sugar emerging as an important contributor to NAFLD risk in children. This is a particularly important factor for adolescents with obesity, who are the heaviest consumers of added sugar. Table sugar, or sucrose, is a disaccharide comprised of fructose and glucose, yet only fructose has been strongly linked to NAFLD pathogenesis largely due to the unique characteristics of its metabolism and detrimental effects on key metabolic pathways. To date, the relationship between excessive fructose intake and risk of NAFLD in children and adolescents remains incompletely understood, and it is not yet known whether fructose actually causes NAFLD or instead exacerbates hepatic fat accumulation and possible hepatocellular injury only within the context of cardiometabolic factors. The purpose of this review is to summarize recent studies linking fructose consumption with NAFLD in the paediatric population and integrate results from interventional studies of fructose restriction in children and adolescents on NAFLD and related metabolic markers. Given the overall positive impact of lifestyle modifications in the management of paediatric NAFLD, reduction of added sugar consumption may represent an important, early opportunity to mitigate or prevent NAFLD in high-risk children and adolescents.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | e12759 |
Journal | Pediatric Obesity |
Volume | 16 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 2021 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- fructose
- hepatic steatosis
- liver fibrosis
- non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
- uric acid
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Health Policy
- Nutrition and Dietetics
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
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TGen-ASU review suggests added sugars are contributing to liver disease among children
3/29/21
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