Association between weight fluctuation and the risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease

The global incidence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has increased in recent years. It has already been demonstrated that exercise and weight change are associated with the occurrence of MASLD; however, the association between weight fluctuation caused by different exercise intensities and the risk of MASLD remains to be studied.

To investigate the impact of weight fluctuation and physical activity intensity on the risk of MASLD prevalence.

Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database including five cycles from 2009 to 2018 were analyzed. The model included variables such as age, sex, and poverty income ratio. Weighted multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the influence of different weight fluctuation patterns within the two time intervals on the prevalence of MASLD. Nonparametric restricted cubic spline curves were used to analyze the non-linear relationship between net weight change and MASLD prevalence.

Among 3183 MASLD cases, the risk of MASLD increased with age for individuals transitioning from non-obese to obese or maintaining obesity, with odds ratio (OR) changing from 8.91 (95%CI: 7.40-10.88) and 11.87 (95%CI: 9.65-14.60) at 10 years before baseline to 9.58 (95%CI: 8.08-11.37) and 12.51 (95%CI: 9.33-16.78) at 25 years. Stable obesity correlated with age-dependent MASLD prevalence escalation, whereas increased physical activity attenuated MASLD risk in this group, with an OR changing from 13.64 (95%CI: 10.59-17.57) to 6.42 (95%CI: 4.24-9.72). Further analysis of the net weight changes revealed a paradoxical risk elevation with intensified physical activity during different time periods.

The risk of MASLD increases in individuals transitioning from non-obese to obese or maintaining obesity. High-intensity physical activity is beneficial for MASLD among individuals with stable obesity.