Fructose Intake and Unhealthy Eating Habits Are Associated with MASLD in Pediatric Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study.

ABSTRACT: Background/Objectives: Fructose consumption in children is increasing, as is the prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Despite evidence linking added sugars to metabolic syndrome, fructose's impact on liver disease in youth remains unclear, especially in pediatrics. Our study aimed to evaluate the role of fructose intake in metabolic and liver dysfunction in a cohort of pre-school children and adolescents with obesity. Methods: We recruited 41 children and adolescents with obesity (age range: 2.5-16 years, BMI SDS 2.6 ± 0.5 kg/m²). Clinical and biochemical parameters were assessed. Through ultrasound (US), MASLD, hepatorenal index (HRI), subcutaneous adipose tissue (scAT), and visceral adipose tissue (vAT) were assessed. Di

SUBMITTER: Faienza MF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11858415 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature