Participants
obesity, NAFLD, gastrointestinal diseases, liver dysfunction, chronic kidney disease, ultrasonography-diagnosed NAFLD, cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease, weight loss, diabetes
OBESITY, DRUG-INDUCED LIVER DISEASE, AUTOIMMUNE HEPATITIS, GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASES, CHRONIC VIRAL HEPATITIS, DIABETES
All study participants were recruited from the public via promotional leaflets, posters, internet, and community screenings. All interested persons were prescreened to identify potential individuals aged 18 to 75 years with obesity (body mass index [BMI] between 28.0 and 45.0 [calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared]) and ultrasonography-diagnosed NAFLD. After the prescreening, potential participants were invited to attend a screening magnetic resonance imaging examination at the study clinic. Those who had NAFLD confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (IHTG content ≥5%) were enrolled in this study. Among the criteria for exclusion were acute or chronic viral hepatitis, drug-induced liver disease, autoimmune hepatitis, diabetes, serious liver dysfunction, chronic kidney disease, excessive alcohol consumption (>20 g/d for women or >30 g/d for men), serious cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease within 6 months, severe gastrointestinal diseases or gastrointestinal surgery in the past 12 months, active participation in a weight loss program, use of medications that affect weight or energy balance, and current or planned pregnancy.