Abstract
This study investigated the prevalence of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) among a sample of middle-aged obese Egyptian women and explored the associations between nutritional status, dietary habits and NAFLD development, with the aim of increasing nutritional awareness and reducing NAFLD risk. A total of 84 obese women were evaluated using dietary assessments, anthropometric measurements, abdominal ultrasonography, fasting blood glucose, lipid profile and liver function tests. NAFLD was detected in 59% of participants and was associated with obesity, suboptimal dietary habits and low physical activity. Participants with moderate NAFLD had the highest caloric intake, primarily from saturated fats, and exhibited deficiencies in several essential vitamins. NAFLD severity was positively correlated with body mass index, body fat percentage, waist circumference, alanine aminotransferase levels and dietary fat intake, and negatively correlated with most fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins. In conclusion, these findings suggest that NAFLD is relatively common among obese Egyptian women and is associated with obesity and lifestyle-related factors. Dietary patterns characterized by high energy intake, refined sugars, and unhealthy fats were more frequently observed among participants with greater disease severity. As diet and lifestyle are potentially modifiable risk factors, nutritional education and the promotion of healthier dietary and lifestyle practices may be beneficial in addressing NAFLD risk and progression.