Approximately 15% of people in Europe and 13% of Americans suffer from the so-called “food insecurity” (they do not have regular access to enough healthy and nutritious food for normal growth and development, and to lead an active and healthy life). Food insecurity is influenced by both economic factors (due to food prices) and social factors. In this sense, it has been observed that, regardless of the economic factor, households with higher incomes show a greater tendency to consume healthy foods, while households with lower economic levels tend to consume less vegetables, fruits or fiber-rich foods. This usually results in increased glucose levels and dyslipidemia (increased triglycerides and cholesterol) which are factors risk of developing fatty liver.
in the magazine BioMed Central Research Notes A study was published that examined the possible link between food insecurity and fatty liver disease. The study included 275 subjects who were identified as having or not having fatty liver disease and who were interviewed extensively about their level of food security over the past 12 months. They were asked about possible concerns about obtaining food, its quality, quantity and variety, and whether they were hungry. They found that the prevalence of fatty liver and obesity was significantly higher among subjects who experienced food insecurity compared to those who did not suffer from it. Sociodemographic factors such as older age, male gender, and marital status were also found to be associated with a higher risk of fatty liver disease.
Thus, the study confirms the importance of eating a high-quality diet (eating vegetables and fruits) versus consuming foods high in fat and sugar to avoid developing fatty liver disease.