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]
Are lean individuals protected from NAFLD?
Written by:
Fact-checked
by:
•Last Updated: April 23, 2025
Lean individuals are not protected from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) because approximately 19% of the global NAFLD population consists of people with a normal BMIs (known as lean NAFLD). Additionally, the long-term prognosis for lean NAFLD is similar to that of nonlean NAFLD.