Food Insecurity May Be an Independent Risk Factor Associated with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease among Low-Income Adults in the United States.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), considered a "barometer" of metabolic health, is the leading cause of liver disease in the United States. Despite established associations between food insecurity and obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, little is known about the relation between food insecurity and NAFLD.

Objective

We sought to evaluate the association of food insecurity with NAFLD among low-income adults in the United States.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of a nationally representative sample of adults from the NHANES (2005-2014 waves). Participants included adults in low-income households (≤200% of the federal poverty level) without chronic viral hepatitis or self-reported heavy alcohol use. Food insecurity was measured using th

SUBMITTER: Golovaty I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6946902 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature