Question
How do children get fatty liver?
Answer
Common causes of fatty liver in children include high-fat low-protein diets, excessive consumption of snacks, lack of physical exercise and strength training, picky eating or anorexia with dietary deficiencies such as a lack of B vitamins, particularly vitamin B1. Currently, the most common cause of fatty liver in children is an imbalanced diet leading to overeating and excessive obesity, with 20% to 30% of overweight children suffering from varying degrees of fatty liver. Surveys have also found that most overweight children (65% to 80%) prefer meat and have a large appetite, with some having a sweet tooth. Principles for preventing and treating fatty liver in children include: primarily adjusting the diet and enhancing physical exercise. One, pay attention to the rationality of dietary structure in daily meals; consume more milk, fish, and soy products rich in protein; try to reduce the intake of pork and beef to protect and promote the recovery and regeneration of damaged liver cells. Two, limit total calorie intake; mainly control carbohydrate and fat intake as these nutrients can become stored fat when they exceed caloric needs and metabolic requirements. Three, pay attention to regulating the supply of sufficient vitamins; especially B-complex vitamins and vitamin C; eat more fresh vegetables and fruits with low sugar content such as celery, spinach, bok choy, cucumber, winter melon, bamboo shoots, and tomatoes. Four, strengthen guidance on children’s physical exercise; pay more attention to physical activities and sports training for overweight children; encourage them to spend more time outdoors rather than sitting idle.