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Significance of exercise in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in men: a community-based large cross-sectional study

  • Original Article—Liver, Pancreas, and Biliary Tract
  • Published:
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Abstract

Background

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular disease that could progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure. We aimed to assess the relationship between NAFLD and lifestyle habits.

Methods

Using a community-based, cross-sectional design, the records of 11,094 Japanese subjects who had undergone at least 1 annual health checkup were reviewed.

Results

Of the 6,370 subjects who qualified for enrolment, 1,346 met the diagnostic criteria for NAFLD. The prevalence rate (PR) of NAFLD increased significantly to 36.6, 41.5, and 41.1 % with no snacking, snacking less than once/day, and snacking ≥2 times/day, respectively, in men (P = 0.0495) and to 10.8, 11.7, and 15.3 %, respectively, in women (P = 0.002). In men, the NAFLD PR decreased significantly to 48.8, 36.9, and 29.9 % with no exercise, exercise consciousness, and periodical exercise, respectively (P < 0.001). In women, the NAFLD PR decreased significantly to 19.3, 13.5, 11, and 8 % with sleep durations of ≤4, 5–6, 7–8, and ≥9 h, respectively (P = 0.003). Periodical exercise was identified as an independent factor associated with NAFLD in men (odds ratio 0.707, 95 % confidence interval 0.546–0.914; P = 0.008).

Conclusions

Performing regular exercise was associated with a reduced risk for NAFLD in men. Men with a high risk for NAFLD can be identified using questionnaires on exercise in an outpatient setting. Disease progression and further complications may be prevented by educating high-risk NAFLD patients about the importance of exercise.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported in part by a grant-in-aid for Scientific Research from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (KAKENHI No. 25750045) and a research grant from Ehime University.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime, 791-0295, Japan

    Teruki Miyake, Teru Kumagi, Masashi Hirooka, Keitarou Kawasaki, Mitsuhito Koizumi, Yasuhiko Todo, Shin Yamamoto, Hiroaki Nunoi, Yoshio Tokumoto, Yoshio Ikeda, Masanori Abe, Bunzo Matsuura & Yoichi Hiasa

  2. Department of Community Medicine, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime, 791-0295, Japan

    Teru Kumagi & Kohichiro Kitai

  3. Department of Public Health, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime, 791-0295, Japan

    Shinya Furukawa

  4. Ehime General Health Care Association, Misake, Matsuyama, Ehime, 790-0814, Japan

    Keitarou Kawasaki & Mitsuhito Koizumi

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  1. Teruki Miyake
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  2. Teru Kumagi
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Correspondence to Yoichi Hiasa.

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Miyake, T., Kumagi, T., Hirooka, M. et al. Significance of exercise in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in men: a community-based large cross-sectional study. J Gastroenterol 50, 230–237 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00535-014-0959-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00535-014-0959-6

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