Publication Date

2024

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Herrmann, Lynn

Degree Name

Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy)

Legacy Department

School of Health Studies

Abstract

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease is one of the most common forms of liver disease in the United States, which occurs when a buildup of fat droplets within the hepatocytes accounts for 5% of the liver’s total weight.

Using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), this study evaluated the relationship between suspected NAFLD and Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and the individual components of MetS among five major racial/ethnic groups in the United States. Furthermore, this study compared the prevalence of NAFLD, MetS, and the components of MetS in four minority U.S. populations with that of non-Hispanic Whites. Data from four two-year cycles (2011-2012, 2013-2014, 2015-2016, 2017-2018) of the NHANES were extracted, combined as one file and analyzed.

NAFLD was most prevalent in Mexican Americans (OR: 2.03, 95% CI: 1.61-2.57) and least prevalent in non-Hispanic Blacks (OR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.49-0.77). MetS was also most prevalent in Mexican Americans (OR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.23-1.65) and least prevalent in non-Hispanic Asians (OR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.48-0.67). Mexican Americans had the highest prevalence of three MetS components (high waist circumference, elevated fasting blood glucose, and high triglycerides). Non-Hispanic Blacks had the highest prevalence of hypertension (OR: 2.55, 95% CI: 2.10-3.11), and Other Hispanics had the highest prevalence of Low High-Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (OR: 1.37, CI: 1.15-1.63). After controlling for age, the data showed a stronger correlation between NAFLD and the majority of the MetS components. It also found that, across all racial/ethnic groups, there was a stronger correlation between NAFLD and more MetS components. The data also indicated that educational attainment had a greater impact on NAFLD status than physical activity when age was considered.

This study demonstrated that Mexican Americans have the highest prevalence of NAFLD and several other NAFLD risk factors compared to four other major races/ethnicities in the U.S. This work serves as a springboard for additional investigation, particularly into the genetic variations that may explain the observed outcomes.

Extent

157 pages

Language

en

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

Download

Share

COinS