Trends in the high blood glucose and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease among Korean adolescents

Abstract

High blood glucose level and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adolescents are long-term risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and poor prognosis. We investigated recent trends of high blood glucose levels and NAFLD among Korean adolescents aged 12-18 years. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data of 5,685 adolescents aged 12-18 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES), from 2007-2009 to 2016-2018. Linear trends in the prevalence of high blood glucose level, NAFLD, and associated factors were assessed using multivariable logistic regression analyses. During the study period, the odds ratios for high blood glucose level and NAFLD increased significantly in both sexes and in girls, respectively (p for trend <0.05). Over-consumption of total calories in boys and fat intake in boys and girls increased significantly (p for trend <0.05). In Korean adolescents, the prevalence of high blood glucose level and NAFLD has increased recently. Efforts to modify the associated factors and further research to determine the public health measures are warranted to prevent these metabolic abnormalities in adolescents.