PP061 - ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN ADHERENCE TO THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET AND MARKERS OF METABOLIC DYSFUNCTION-ASSOCIATED STEATOTIC LIVER DISEASE IN CHILDREN/ADOLESCENTS WITH OVERWEIGHT/OBESITY: THE LIFE4MASLD STUDY

PP061

ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN ADHERENCE TO THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET AND MARKERS OF METABOLIC DYSFUNCTION-ASSOCIATED STEATOTIC LIVER DISEASE IN CHILDREN/ADOLESCENTS WITH OVERWEIGHT/OBESITY: THE LIFE4MASLD STUDY

A. Kyrkili^1,*, R. Tenta¹, E. Fragopoulou¹, A. Vourdoumpa², D. Koutaki², G. Paltoglou², M. Papadopoulou², C. N. Katsagoni³, M. Rogalidou⁴, A. Papadopoulou⁴, E. Charmandari^2,5, M. D. Kontogianni¹

¹Department of Nutrition & Dietetics, School of Health Sciences and Education, Harokopio University, ²Center for the Prevention and Management of Overweight and Obesity in Childhood and Adolescence, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, “Aghia Sophia” Children’s Hospital, ³Department of Clinical Nutrition, “Aghia Sophia” Children’s Hospital, ⁴Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Hepatology, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, “Aghia Sophia” Children's Hospital, ⁵Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece

Rationale: Long-term dietary habits are important modifiable risk factors for paediatric Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), however, relevant data remain limited. The aim of this study was to examine the association between adherence to a MD and the presence of MASLD in children/adolescents with overweight/obesity.

Methods: A total of 154 children/adolescents (77 with MASLD and 77 controls, matched for sex, age, body mass index, and pubertal stage) were recruited. Adherence to the MD was assessed using KIDMED 2.0 score¹ and physical activity (PA) via Self-Administered Physical Activity Checklists². Anthropometric, biochemical, inflammatory, and oxidative stress markers were evaluated.

Results: Children/adolescents with MASLD had higher liver enzymes (p<0.001), uric acid (p=0.03), waist circumference (WC, p=0.05), Fatty Liver Index (FLI) (p=0.01), and Hepatic Steatosis Index (HIS, p<0.001), as well as higher fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF21) levels (p=0.083), compared to controls. They also exhibited lower PA (p=0.004) and higher video game use (p=0.04). KIDMED 2.0 score was significantly lower in children/adolescents with MASLD (p=0.007) compared to control. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, higher KIDMED 2.0 score was independently associated with lower odds of MASLD (OR=0.85, 95% CI: 0.73–0.98, p=0.026), after adjustment for uric acid, WC, FGF21, and PA. Furthermore, higher KIDMED 2.0 score was independently associated with lower HIS (β=-0.3, p=0.023) and FLI (β=-1.09, p=0.006).

Conclusion: Greater adherence to the MD is associated with a lower likelihood of MASLD and more favorable hepatic steatosis indices in children/adolescents with overweight/obesity, independently of metabolic, inflammatory, and lifestyle factors.

References: 1.PMID:36424923

2.DOI:10.1080/17461391.2011.606838

Disclosure of Interest: None declared