Abstract
Background: Obesity is one of the most important risk factors in the fatty liver disease progression, both in children and in adults. The prevalence of fatty liver in the obese children and adolescents is closely associated with metabolic syndrome and their risk factors. The aim of this study was to assess of the fatty liver disease in obese adolescents in the southeast Iran.
Material and methods: we evaluated non fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in 34 obese adolescents (14 boys and 20 girls) aged 11 – 19 years. Obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) > 95 percentile adjusted for age and sex. The measurement of anthropometric, blood pressure and biochemical tests and also abdominal ultrasonographic examinations were carried out for all subjects.
Results: Based on the ultrasonography, 42.9 % of boys and 45% of girls had mild–serious NAFLD (grade 1). No significant difference was observed in the levels of biochemical parameters of the subjects with NAFLD when compared with those without the disorder,
A significant correlation between aminotransferases with markers of dyslipidemia; cholesterol (P<0.05) and triglyceride (P<0.01) was observed.
Conclusion: Data showed that obesity may increase the likelihood of developing liver damage. Thus, considering the association between some risk factors of metabolic syndrome with NAFLD, more studies need to be done for determination of the NAFLD and its relationship with central obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, and resultant metabolic syndrome, in the general population especially in children and adolescents.

Key words: Non-alcoholic fatty liver, obesity, Iran