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Background & Aims: Around 10-20% of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are non-obese. The benefit of weight reduction in such patients is unclear. We aim to study the efficacy of lifestyle intervention in non-obese patients with NAFLD and to identify factors that predict treatment response., Methods: A total of 154 community NAFLD patients were randomised to a 12-month lifestyle intervention programme involving regular exercise, or to standard care. The primary outcome was remission of NAFLD at Month 12 by proton-magnetic resonance spectroscopy. After the programme, the patients were prospectively followed until Year 6. The Asian body mass index (BMI) cut-off of 25 kg/m 2 was used to define non-obese NAFLD., Results: Patients were assigned to the intervention (n = 77) and control (n = 77) groups (39 and 38 in each group had baseline BMI <25 and ≥25 kg/m 2 , respectively). More patients in the intervention group achieved the primary outcome than the control group regardless of baseline BMI (non-obese: 67% vs. 18%, p <0.001; obese: 61% vs. 21%, p <0.001). Lifestyle intervention, lower baseline intrahepatic triglyceride, and reduction in body weight and waist circumference were independent factors associated with remission of NAFLD in non-obese patients. Half of non-obese patients achieved remission of NAFLD with 3-5% weight reduction; the same could only be achieved in obese patients with 7-10% weight reduction. By Year 6, non-obese patients in the intervention group remained more likely to maintain weight reduction and alanine aminotransferase normalisation than the control group., Conclusions: Lifestyle intervention is effective in treating NAFLD in both non-obese and obese patients. Weight reduction predicts remission of NAFLD in non-obese patients, but a modest weight reduction may be sufficient in this population., Lay Summary: Some patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are non-obese. The optimal management of such patients is unclear. In this long-term follow-up study of a clinical trial, we show that remission of NAFLD can be achieved in 67% of non-obese patients after lifestyle intervention. The majority of patients can achieve NAFLD remission with modest weight loss of 3-10%. Non-obese patients are also more likely than obese patients to maintain weight reduction and normal liver enzymes in the long run., (Copyright © 2018 European Association for the Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is of public health concern. This trial examined whether a clinically proven lifestyle modification program (LMP) in early pregnancy was superior to routine antenatal care in improving GDM, maternal and infant outcomes. Chinese pregnant women at risk of GDM (n = 220) were recruited at or before 12-week gestation and randomized to either a LMP group or a routine care control group. Eighty subjects completed a dietitian-led LMP including dietary and exercise components from early pregnancy till 24-week gestation. Data were compared with those of 86 control subjects. Twenty three (26.7%) control subjects and 20 (25.0%) LMP subjects developed GDM (p = 0.798). The proportion of infants born large for gestational age and macrosomia was similar between groups. The LMP group showed a lower proportion of excessive gestational weight gain (GWG). Subgroup analysis suggested that those with higher LMP adherence showed more desirable dietary composition and energy intake, and lower proportion of excessive GWG compared with the low LMP adherence group and the control group. The potential effect of LMP on GDM and other maternal and infant outcomes, in particular GWG, as well as barriers for making lifestyle changes warrant further investigations (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02368600).

Background and Aim: Lifestyle modification is the cornerstone for the management of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and patatin-like phospholipase 3 (PNPLA3) is one of the most important genetic determinants of NAFLD. We aimed to investigate the effect of PNPLA3 gene polymorphism on the response to lifestyle modification in NAFLD patients., Methods: This was a post-hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial on a lifestyle modification program in community NAFLD patients. The PNPLA3 rs738409 gene polymorphism was correlated with changes in metabolic profile and intrahepatic triglyceride content (IHTG) as measured by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy., Results: One hundred and fifty-four patients were equally randomized into the intervention and control groups. The presence of G allele was associated with greater reduction in IHTG (CC: 3.7 ± 5.2%, CG: 6.5 ± 3.6%), and GG: 11.3 ± 8.8% (Spearman's correlation, 0.34; P = 0.002), body weight (P = 0.030), waist-to-hip ratio (P = 0.024), total cholesterol (P = 0.031), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.009) in the intervention group. In contrast, PNPLA3 polymorphism had no impact on IHTG changes in the control group. By multivariable analysis, PNPLA3 genotype and body mass index (BMI) change were independently associated with IHTG reduction in the intervention group. Only BMI change was associated with IHTG reduction in the control group., Conclusion: Although the PNPLA3 rs738409 GG genotype confers a higher risk of NAFLD, these patients are more sensitive to the beneficial effects of lifestyle modification and should be encouraged to do so., (© 2014 Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Foundation and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.)

Information concerning the nature of nutritionist-patient relationships is very limited. This qualitative and quantitative study examined nutritionist's skills, attributes, and beliefs towards nutrition counseling during a lifestyle modification intervention program, and whether this affected the patient's weight outcome. 24 nutrition consultations were observed during the program and the nutritionists were interviewed for their perception on practice (n = 4). A statistically significant difference was observed between the nutritionists in regard to patient's weight change after adjustment for age and baseline weight (p < 0.001). Key nutritionist skills identified that influenced weight outcome were meticulous investigation of the underlying obesity cause, identification of the subject's stage of change, and psychological support.

There is little information about how clients attending lifestyle modification programs view the outcomes. This qualitative study examined the clients' experience of a community based lifestyle modification program in Hong Kong. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 clients attending the program. Clients perceived the program had positive impacts on their health and nutrition knowledge. They experienced frustration, negative emotion, lack of motivation, and pressure from others during the program. Working environment and lack of healthy food choices in restaurants were the major perceived environmental barriers for lifestyle modification. Clients valued nutritionists' capability of providing professional information and psychological support in the program. Our results suggest that nutritionist's capability of providing quality consultations and patient-centered care are important for empowering clients achieve lifestyle modification.