Fatty liver disease, once considered a condition of older adults, is increasingly being diagnosed in teenagers, with medical professionals urging early lifestyle intervention. Emergency physician Dr. Wei Zhi-Wei shared a recent case on Health Zero Distance, in which a 15-year-old high school student visited the hospital for severe abdominal pain. Initially suspected as acute gastroenteritis, further tests revealed the teenager’s liver was “entirely bright and white,” confirming a diagnosis of moderate fatty liver.
Dr. Wei noted that the student admitted to a daily routine of rushing from school to cram school, with dinners almost always consisting of fried chicken and bubble tea, and little balanced nutrition. He emphasized that such high-fat, high-sugar diets are major risk factors for fatty liver and, if left unaddressed, can lead to more serious metabolic disorders later in life.
Gastroenterologist Dr. Zhang Zhen-Rong highlighted that early-stage fatty liver can be reversed through weight loss and lifestyle changes. “Reducing body weight by 7-10% can lower liver fibrosis and may even restore the liver to normal,” he said. However, if the disease progresses to cirrhosis, reversal becomes nearly impossible, and the risk of liver cancer increases.
Nutritionist Zhao Han-Ying added that fatty liver is largely “diet-driven,” with excessive sugar and fat intake, prolonged sedentary behavior, and irregular sleep being common contributors. Studies show that individuals with fatty liver have a 1.5 to 2 times higher risk of developing diabetes, underscoring the close link between the conditions. She advised that regular exercise, a healthy diet, and adequate water intake are crucial for reversing fatty liver. Japanese liver specialist Tetsuken Ogata recommends drinking at least 1,500cc of water daily, spaced throughout the day, to support metabolism and fat burning.
Additionally, a 10-year study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that foods rich in flavonoids—such as apples, tea, and dark chocolate—can lower the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Frequent apple consumption was associated with a 22% reduced likelihood of developing fatty liver.
Medical experts caution that while fatty liver is often a “silent disease,” timely adjustments in diet and lifestyle can fully reverse the condition, preventing the progression to diabetes, cirrhosis, or liver cancer.
