Dietary habits and anthropometric measurements of patients with fatty liver

The study was conducted to determine the nutritional status, anthropometric measurements and blood biochemical parameters of the new diagnosed fatty liver patients. It is a cross-sectional and descriptive research. The research population consists of the new diagnosed fatty liver patients and who consulted to Başkent University Ankara Hospital Internal Diseases Gastroenterology Department. 100 individuals among the patients were chosen through random sampling method. Questionnaire forms were given to the patients during the interviews then some measurements related to height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference and BMI were conducted and written on the forms. 37% out of 100 patients participating in the study are male and 63% are female. The average age of participants (average ± standard deviation) is 44.68±13.58. 54.1% of males and 66.7% of females are obese. It was found that the patients' levels of average carbohydrate intake were low while daily energy intake and fat consumption were high. When patients' intake levels of daily nutrition elements were taken into account it was seen that both males and females did not get sufficient amounts of folic acid. It was determined that 54.1% of males and 44.4% of females did not eat regular meals and they skipped at least one meal. 67.6% of males and 38.1% of females have never eaten meal except breakfast, lunch or dinner. 15% of individuals eat outside every day and 24% of individuals eat out several days a week. Males skip breakfast the most (74.1%), females skip lunch the most (54.5%). It was found that 61% of individuals craves sugar and sugary foods and the most craved sugary foods are desserts. It was determined that while 21% of the individuals' daily fructose consumption is 50 g and above, 65% of the individuals' dietary sucrose from energy percentage is 8% and higher (p>0.05). The most frequently observed complications among individuals are insulin resistance, obesity, hyperlipidemia and hypertension. It was established that individuals' average levels of fasting blood glucose, ALT, total cholesterol, TG, LDL-cholesterol and uric acid are higher than reference range; while HDL-cholesterol levels are lower. HOMA-IR value of 83.1% was found ≥2.5. The total daily energy consumption of both males and females is found lower than their daily energy intake average (p<0.05). As a result, it was determined that factors such as high fructose consumption, high-fat diet, high energy intake, low energy consumption, irregular meals, insulin resistance, obesity and hyperlipidemia are triggering risk factors for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. That is why individuals should be informed about fatty liver oriented nutrition and they should gain awareness about fatty liver.