Abstract
AB111. The determinants of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among adolescents in Peninsular Malaysia: a longitudinal closed cohort study
Vishnu Raj Savumthararaj1, Maslinor Ismail1, Ng Ai Kah1, Nithiah Thangiah1, Wah-Kheong Chan2, Hazreen Abdul Majid1,3
1Centre for Population Health, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia;
2Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia;
3School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Health Sciences University, Bournemouth, UK
Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects up to 16% of adolescents globally, yet longitudinal data from Asian populations are scarce. This study examined prevalence trends and determinants of NAFLD over two time points among Malaysian adolescents.
Methods: Data were drawn from the Malaysian Health and Adolescents Longitudinal Research Team (MyHeART) study at age 15 years (Wave 1, 2014) and age 17 years (Wave 2, 2016). NAFLD was assessed using the hepatic steatosis index (HSI). Associations between sociodemographic, adiposity, and lifestyle factors (physical activity, dietary intake, snacking habits, sleep duration, smoking) with NAFLD were analyzed using generalized estimating equations (GEE).
Results: Among 530 participants, NAFLD prevalence was 2.6% at Wave 1 and 3.6% at Wave 2. Prevalence increased among males (3.7% to 6.8%) but showed a slight decline in females (2.2% to 2.0%). Significant determinants included a higher body fat percentage [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 2.35; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.41–3.92], frequent snacking (adjusted OR, 1.89; 95% CI: 1.11–3.22), and low physical activity (adjusted OR, 0.67; 95% CI: 0.45–0.98).
Conclusions: High body fat percentage, frequent snacking, and low physical activity have the strongest relationship with NAFLD among Malaysian adolescents. This requires future intervention planning.
Keywords: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); adolescents; longitudinal study; lifestyle factors; Malaysian Health and Adolescents Longitudinal Research Team (MyHeART)
Conflicts of Interest: W.K.C. is a consultant or advisory board member for Abbott, Abbvie, Boehringer Ingelheim, IPSEN, Kowa, Novo Nordisk, Roche, and Zuellig Pharma; a speaker for Abbott, Echosens, Hisky Medical, Novo Nordisk, Roche, and Viatris; and received research grants from Abbott and Roche. H.A.M. is a program advisor committee for the Malaysian Palm Oil Board. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
doi: 10.21037/jphe-26-ab111
Cite this abstract as: Savumthararaj VR, Ismail M, Kah NA, Thangiah N, Chan WK, Abdul Majid H. AB111. The determinants of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among adolescents in Peninsular Malaysia: a longitudinal closed cohort study. J Public Health Emerg 2026;10:AB111.
