Weight Variability and the Risk of Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease: A Longitudinal Study from the Kangbuk Samsung Health Study

Presenter

Rhee, E. J.

This cohort study (n=1,669; males [50.8%], mean age 38.6 years) examined whether body weight variability predicts metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) between 2007-2019 and participants had at least 5 health visits. Weight variability was quantified using Average Successive Variability (ASV) across the five visits and categorized into quartiles (Q1–Q4). Over follow-up, 31.5% developed MASLD, with incidence rising across weight variability quartiles [Q1: 21.0% (87/415), Q2: 28% (118/422), Q3: 32% (133/416) to Q4: 45.5% (187/411)]. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that Higher weight variability significantly reduced MASLD-free survival and, after adjustment, the highest variability group had a 64% increased risk (aHR 1.64; 95% CI: 1.253–2.144; p < 0.001)). Findings indicate that weight fluctuation independently contributes to MASLD risk, highlighting the importance of maintaining stable body weight rather than repeated weight cycling for effective prevention.

Machine Learning-Based Model for Predicting Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease Using Non-invasive Parameters in Young Adults 

Presenter

Kwon, Y.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is increasingly common in young adults, requiring effective non-invasive detection. This study developed a machine learning based model to predict MASLD in adults aged 20–40 years using data from over 15,000 participants. Three predictive models incorporating demographic, clinical, and body composition variables were tested using logistic regression, random forest, and gradient boosting.

The most comprehensive model achieved strong performance, with Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (AUROC) 0.90 (LR), 0.91 (RF), and 0.91 (XGB), with accuracies up to 0.81 in internal validation and 0.89 (LR), 0.88 (RF), and 0.88 (XGB) in external validation. Body mass index and body fat percentage were key predictors, while higher skeletal muscle index unexpectedly increased risk. The model enables accurate early screening in clinical settings.

Abdominal Obesity, Hepatic Steatosis, Oxidative Stress and Diastolic Dysfunction in Patients with MASLD 

Presenter: Colangeli, L

Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is highly prevalent in people with obesity and has been increasingly recognized as a contributor towards the prognosis of HFpEF patients.  

In a cross‑sectional study of 73 obese patients ≥50 years with MASLD, 27.4% had diastolic dysfunction (DD). Those with DD had higher BMI (37.1 vs 34.4 kg/m², p<0.05), waist circumference (122.3 vs 113.1 cm, p<0.01), fatty liver index (FLI; 95.6 vs 88.3), and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP; 300.0 vs 266.8 dB/m, p<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed body weight (ORadj 1.087), BMI (ORadj 1.173), WC (ORadj 1.072), and CAP (ORadj 1.012, 95% CI 1.001–1.024) independently associated with DD. CAP and fatty liver index correlated with LV structural changes. After adjustment for WC, the association between CAP and DD lost statistical significance, suggesting that abdominal adiposity may mediate the relationship between hepatic steatosis and DD. 

33^rd European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2026), 12^th -15^th May 2026, Istanbul, Turkey.