The effect of a Mediterranean diet vs. a low-fat diet on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in children: a randomized trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the effects of a Mediterranean Diet and a low-fat diet on reducing hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance in children with NAFLD.
Results Summary
Both diets significantly reduced hepatic steatosis and improved liver enzymes and insulin resistance, though the Mediterranean Diet showed a greater reduction in insulin resistance. No significant decrease in energy required for growth was observed.
Population
Children aged 9-17 years diagnosed with NAFLD.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
12 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mediterranean Diet | decrease | hepatic steatosis | children aged 9-17 years diagnosed with NAFLD | - | decreased significantly | #1 |
low-fat diet | decrease | hepatic steatosis | children aged 9-17 years diagnosed with NAFLD | - | decreased significantly | #2 |
Mediterranean Diet | increase | liver enzymes | children aged 9-17 years diagnosed with NAFLD | - | improved significantly | #3 |
low-fat diet | increase | liver enzymes | children aged 9-17 years diagnosed with NAFLD | - | improved significantly | #4 |
Mediterranean Diet | decrease | insulin resistance | children aged 9-17 years diagnosed with NAFLD | - | significant decreases | #5 |
low-fat diet | decrease | insulin resistance | children aged 9-17 years diagnosed with NAFLD | - | significant decreases | #6 |
Mediterranean Diet | no change | energy required for growth | children with NAFLD | - | no significant decrease | #7 |
low-fat diet | no change | energy required for growth | children with NAFLD | - | no significant decrease | #8 |
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming ever more common in children, due to the increasing global prevalence of obesity. The first-line treatment consists of weight loss through a combination of a healthy diet and exercise. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a Mediterranean Diet or a low-fat diet on reducing hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance in children with NAFLD. This 12-week randomised clinical trial was conducted with children aged 9-17 years diagnosed with NAFLD and randomised into either a Mediterranean Diet or a low-fat diet group. By the end of the study, hepatic steatosis had decreased significantly in both groups (p < 0.001). Liver enzymes also improved significantly, while significant decreases were observed in insulin resistance in both groups, although this decrease was greater in the Mediterranean Diet group (p = 0.010). This study demonstrated that a decrease in hepatic steatosis and an improvement in insulin sensitivity can be achieved with both a Mediterranean Diet and a low-fat diet over 12 weeks, with no significant decrease in the energy required for growth, in children with NAFLD.