Fatty liver in children constitutes a health challenge that requires careful follow-up from parents and attention to nutrition and daily activity. With increasing obesity rates and high consumption of fast food, fatty liver in children has become more common than before.
However, it is a condition that can improve significantly when adhering to a healthy lifestyle. Gradual changes in food, movement, and sleep help reduce the fat accumulated on the liver over time, which supports the child's health and prevents future complications.
What are the symptoms of fatty liver in children?
Symptoms of fatty liver disease in children
Symptoms appear gradually and are often mild at first, making them difficult to detect without tests. They include:
- Persistent feeling of tiredness and decreased physical activity.
- Mild pain in the upper right part of the abdomen.
- Loss of appetite or abnormal weight gain.
- Accumulation of fat in the abdominal area and, in some cases,
- slight yellowing of the skin or changes in liver function tests during routine check-ups may appear.
Improving the diet
Limiting saturated fats and sugars is an essential step in controlling fatty liver in children. It is preferable to focus on homemade meals rich in vegetables, light protein, and whole grains, and to reduce fried foods and sweets.
This helps regulate weight and reduce fat deposition inside liver cells.
Sports activities to improve fatty liver in children
Regular movement, even if it's 30 minutes daily, contributes significantly to improving fatty liver in children. One can start with walking, cycling, running games, or any enjoyable activity suitable for the child's age.
Activity helps burn excess fat and improves the body's sensitivity to insulin.
Regulating meals to treat fatty liver in children
Obesity is the main factor behind fatty liver in children, so work must be done to reduce weight in a safe and slow manner. Deprivation is not recommended, but rather gradually reducing calories and replacing high-fat foods with lighter, more beneficial options.
Reducing carbonated drinks
Eliminating ready-made juices and carbonated drinks from the child's day is an important step, as liquid sugar increases fat accumulation inside the liver. Replacing them with water or diluted natural juices contributes to improving fatty liver in children.
Supporting digestive health
Consuming fiber from fruits, vegetables, and legumes improves digestion and reduces inflammation, which helps the liver work more efficiently. Having sufficient daily fiber continuously benefits improving fatty liver in children.
Medical follow-up to prevent fatty liver in children
Liver function and blood tests must be monitored regularly to ensure improvement in the condition of fatty liver in children. The doctor may recommend an ultrasound to determine the level of fat on the liver and monitor the response to improvements.
Regulating sleep to reduce the incidence of fatty liver in children
Insufficient sleep increases appetite and obesity, thus affecting fatty liver in children. It is important to adhere to fixed sleep times, avoid screens at least an hour before sleep, and support the child psychologically during any daily pressures.
Limiting fried foods and solid fats
Fried foods, ghee, and heavy oils are among the most influential factors that increase fat accumulation on the liver. It is preferable to replace them with lighter cooking methods such as grilling or boiling.
Frequently asked questions about fatty liver in children
Can fatty liver in children be completely cured?
It improves significantly with weight loss, improved nutrition, and increased movement. Often, the liver returns to normal within several months.
What is the best sport to improve fatty liver in children?
Brisk walking, light running, swimming, and cycling are among the most effective and easy-to-implement activities.
Do fast food meals affect fatty liver in children?
They contain hydrogenated fats and high calories that increase fat accumulation inside the liver.
Article summary
Improving fatty liver in children relies on simple but continuous steps: a balanced diet, reducing sugar, daily activity, and gradual weight control.
With medical follow-up and good sleep, the liver can regain its health within a relatively short period, protecting the child from future health problems.