Over time, more and more of our population is
dangerously over weight. Fat accumulates in the liver causing
inflammation, scarring, and cirrhosis. Abnormally large amounts of
fat stored in the liver is referred to "Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver
Disease" or NAFLD. About 5 out of 100 patients NAFLD severe
inflammation, or hepatitis. THe hepatitis the occurs as a result of
NAFLD is called steatohepatitis. Twenty to thirty Epidemic levels
of obesity will cause a second wave of liver disease, cirrhosis,
and liver cancer. Obesity is having and Body Mass Index (BMI)
greater than 30. Morbidly obese is having a BMI greater than 35.
Obesity and morbid obesity will also cause a sharp rise in
diabetes, heart disease, vascular disease, and kidney failure.
Unless there are dramatic efforts to reduce the obesity epidemic,
by the year 2025, fatty liver will cause more people to need a
liver transplant compared to hepatitis C and B infection.
1987 Rates of Obesity
1996 Rates of Obesity
2003 Rates of Obesity
2006 Rates of Obesity
