UC San Diego

Background: Pediatric studies have shown associations between hepatic steatosis and total body fat, visceral fat, and lean mass. However, these associations have not been assessed simultaneously, leaving their relative importance unknown. Objective: To evaluate associations between hepatic steatosis and total-body adiposity, visceral adiposity, and lean mass in children. Method: In children at risk for fatty liver, hepatic steatosis, adipose, and lean mass were estimated with magnetic resonance imaging and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results: Two hundred twenty-seven children with mean age 12.1 years had mean percent body fat of 38.9% and mean liver fat of 8.4%. Liver fat was positively associated with total-body adiposity, visceral adiposity, and lean mass (P < 0.001), and negatively associated with lean mass percentage (P < 0.001). After weight adjustment, liver fat was only positively associated with measures of central adiposity (P < 0.001). Visceral adiposity also had the strongest association with liver fat (P < 0.001). Conclusions: In children, hepatic steatosis is more strongly associated with visceral adiposity than total adiposity, and the association of lean mass is not independent of weight or fat mass. These relationships may help guide the choice of future interventions to target hepatic steatosis.