London: Being overweight during adolescence can put men at significantly higher risk of developing severe liver disease later in life, says a study.
The findings are based on 40 years follow-up of study of nearly 45,000 Swedish men.
The study showed that adolescent males with a body mass index (BMI) above 25 are at a 64 per cent increased risk of developing severe liver diseases and liver cell cancer in their late lives.
Even for one kg/m2 increase in BMI, obese males can face a five per cent increased risk, the study said.
"It is possible that this increased risk is caused by a longer exposure to being overweight, compared to becoming overweight or obese later in life and that individuals with a longer history of being overweight have an increased risk of severe liver disease," said lead investigator Hannes Hagstrom from Karolinska University in Sweden.
In addition, overweight and obesity are associated with a worse prognosis in several liver diseases, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), hepatitis B and C as well as alcoholic liver disease.
The increased risk of a high BMI for the development of severe liver disease later in life is already present from an early age, commented the researchers.
"The increased prevalence of overweight and obesity has also contributed to the worldwide rise in liver diseases," Hagstrom added.
It has been estimated that if current trends continue, there will be more than two billion overweight and over one billion obese individuals worldwide by 2030, said the paper published in the Journal of Hepatology.
The researchers examined approximately 45,000 Swedish men, over a period of 40 years, to investigate if the body mass index (BMI) in adolescence developed severe liver diseases in later life.
The results of the follow-up revealed 393 men diagnosed with severe liver diseases and being overweight was a risk factor for developing severe liver disease after adjusting for a variety of confounding factors, including alcohol and tobacco.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The findings are based on 40 years follow-up of study of nearly 45,000 Swedish men.
The study showed that adolescent males with a body mass index (BMI) above 25 are at a 64 per cent increased risk of developing severe liver diseases and liver cell cancer in their late lives.
"It is possible that this increased risk is caused by a longer exposure to being overweight, compared to becoming overweight or obese later in life and that individuals with a longer history of being overweight have an increased risk of severe liver disease," said lead investigator Hannes Hagstrom from Karolinska University in Sweden.
Advertisement
The increased risk of a high BMI for the development of severe liver disease later in life is already present from an early age, commented the researchers.
Advertisement
It has been estimated that if current trends continue, there will be more than two billion overweight and over one billion obese individuals worldwide by 2030, said the paper published in the Journal of Hepatology.
Advertisement
The results of the follow-up revealed 393 men diagnosed with severe liver diseases and being overweight was a risk factor for developing severe liver disease after adjusting for a variety of confounding factors, including alcohol and tobacco.
Advertisement
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Children Sedentary For 6 Hours A Day At High Risk Of Fatty Liver Disease: Study Lack Of Sleep Could Lead To "Silent Epidemic", Say Experts Liver Disease: Watch Out For These Warning Signs And Symptoms World's Largest Isolated Tribe Makes Rare Appearance In New Footage Relationship Timeline Of Hardik Pandya, Wife Who "Parted Ways": 5 Facts Why BJP Lost Lok Sabha Polls In Uttar Pradesh - 6 Reasons In Party Report Delhi University Inviting Applications For Course In Pali/Tibetan Hegemonistic Ambitions: Tibet PM-In-Exile On China Renaming Places In India 7 Killed, 3 Injured As Taxi Falls Into Roadside Well In Maharashtra: Report Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.