No, the occurrence of NAFLD in people with a normal BMI (18.5–24.9 kg/m2 or 18.5–22.9 kg/m2 in Asians), otherwise known as lean NAFLD, is more common than one might think. A meta-analysis of 93 studies published in 2020 reported that the prevalence of lean NAFLD in the global NAFLD population was about 19%.[1]. Notably, the long-term prognosis does not seem to differ much between people with lean NAFLD and nonlean NAFLD.[2]
References
- ^Qing Ye, Biyao Zou, Yee Hui Yeo, Jie Li, Daniel Q Huang, Yuankai Wu, Hongli Yang, Chuanli Liu, Leslie Y Kam, Xiang Xuan Eunice Tan, Nicholas Chien, Sam Trinh, Linda Henry, Christopher Donald Stave, Tetsuya Hosaka, Ramsey C Cheung, Mindie H NguyenGlobal prevalence, incidence, and outcomes of non-obese or lean non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysisLancet Gastroenterol Hepatol.(2020 Aug)
- ^Eslam M, El-Serag HB, Francque S, Sarin SK, Wei L, Bugianesi E, George JMetabolic (dysfunction)-associated fatty liver disease in individuals of normal weight.Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol.(2022-Jun-16)