The effects of weight loss interventions on children and adolescents with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract

Abstract Background Overall, there is conflicting evidence regarding the beneficial effects of optimal lifestyle modification, particularly weight loss interventions, with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)). Therefore, this study investigated the effects of weight loss interventions on laboratory and clinical parameters in children and adolescents with NAFLD. Methods Original databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Embase) were searched using standard keywords to identify all controlled trials investigating the effects of weight loss interventions among NAFLD children and adolescents. Pooled weighted mean difference and 95% confidence intervals were achieved by random‐effects model analysis. Results Eighteen eligible clinical trials were included in this systematic review and meta‐analysis. The pooled findings showed that especially more intense weight loss interventions significantly reduced the glucose (p = 0.007), insulin (p = 0.002), homeostatic model assessment‐insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) (p = 0.003), weight (p = 0.025), body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.003), BMI z‐score (p 0.05) following weight loss interventions. Conclusions Weight loss interventions had significant effects on NAFLD‐related parameters including glucose, insulin, HOMA‐IR, weight, BMI, BMI z‐score, WC, TG, and AST.

Keywords

• adolescent
• anthropometry
• children
• glycemic index
• lipid profile
• liver profile