Dads' Early-Onset Obesity Linked to Liver Disease in Kids

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"Serum ALT elevations and NAFLD are more prevalent than ever in the U.S., though we don't know specifically what's causing the increase. Our results point to a genetic connection between early-onset paternal obesity and increased ALT levels," Fox said.

"This study is the first to look at the connection between parental early-onset obesity and elevated serum ALT levels in their children using objective clinical measurements of parental BMI instead of self-reports," study first author Dr. Rohit Loomba, of the Liver Diseases Branch of the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, said in a prepared statement.

"Though we are looking at a very specific, community-based sample in our work, the results suggest an association between elevated serum ALT levels and early-onset paternal obesity. Additional studies are needed to assess whether this connection suggests a genetic predisposition to developing liver disease in larger populations," Loomba said.

More information

The American Liver Foundation explains the progression of liver diseases.