Association between non-skimmed milk consumption and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in US adults: insights from NHANES data

Abstract Purpose Previous studies on the association between non-skimmed milk consumption and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have reported inconsistent findings, with some suggesting an increased risk and others indicating a protective effect. Moreover, as the research focus has shifted g...

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Main Authors: Futao Wu, Fuying Zheng, Xue Li, Danzhu Wu, Honghao Li, Yingyi Zeng, Yan Tang, Side Liu, Aimin Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:BMC Gastroenterology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-025-03834-x
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author Futao Wu
Fuying Zheng
Xue Li
Danzhu Wu
Honghao Li
Yingyi Zeng
Yan Tang
Side Liu
Aimin Li
author_facet Futao Wu
Fuying Zheng
Xue Li
Danzhu Wu
Honghao Li
Yingyi Zeng
Yan Tang
Side Liu
Aimin Li
author_sort Futao Wu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Purpose Previous studies on the association between non-skimmed milk consumption and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have reported inconsistent findings, with some suggesting an increased risk and others indicating a protective effect. Moreover, as the research focus has shifted globally from NAFLD to metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), there remains limited evidence on the relationship between non-skimmed milk consumption and MAFLD. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to investigate this association using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Methods In this U.S. population-based study, adults with complete information on non-skimmed milk consumption and MAFLD diagnosis from the 2017-March 2020 Pre-Pandemic NHANES were included. MAFLD was defined using the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP). The association between non-skimmed milk consumption and MAFLD was assessed using weighted multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for potential confounders. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate effect modifications and robustness. Results The study involved 3,758 participants in total, 1,423 (37.87%) of whom had MAFLD according to the diagnosis. Frequent non-skimmed milk consumption was independently associated with higher MAFLD risk. Compared to the “Rarely” group (< 1 time/week), the “Sometimes” group (≥ 1 time/week but < 1 time/day) had an odds ratio (OR) of 1.67 (95% CI: 1.32–2.12, P = 0.004), and the “Often” group (≥ 1 time/day) had an OR of 1.36 (95% CI: 1.06–1.75, P = 0.046). Stratified analysis revealed that the association was significantly modified by education level (P for interaction = 0.010), with a stronger association observed among participants with higher education levels. Sensitivity analysis yielded consistent results, further supporting the robustness of the association. Conclusion Our findings suggest a significant association between frequent non-skimmed milk consumption and risk of MAFLD, particularly in highly educated individuals. These results highlight the importance of dietary modifications, specifically reducing non-skimmed milk intake, as a potential preventive strategy for MAFLD, especially in high-risk populations.
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spelling doaj-art-4557925004aa452fa1351ab6fdabbd962025-08-20T03:18:38ZengBMCBMC Gastroenterology1471-230X2025-04-0125111110.1186/s12876-025-03834-xAssociation between non-skimmed milk consumption and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in US adults: insights from NHANES dataFutao Wu0Fuying Zheng1Xue Li2Danzhu Wu3Honghao Li4Yingyi Zeng5Yan Tang6Side Liu7Aimin Li8Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical UniversityGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical UniversityGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical UniversityGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical UniversityGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical UniversityGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical UniversityGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical UniversityGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical UniversityGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical UniversityAbstract Purpose Previous studies on the association between non-skimmed milk consumption and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have reported inconsistent findings, with some suggesting an increased risk and others indicating a protective effect. Moreover, as the research focus has shifted globally from NAFLD to metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), there remains limited evidence on the relationship between non-skimmed milk consumption and MAFLD. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to investigate this association using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Methods In this U.S. population-based study, adults with complete information on non-skimmed milk consumption and MAFLD diagnosis from the 2017-March 2020 Pre-Pandemic NHANES were included. MAFLD was defined using the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP). The association between non-skimmed milk consumption and MAFLD was assessed using weighted multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for potential confounders. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate effect modifications and robustness. Results The study involved 3,758 participants in total, 1,423 (37.87%) of whom had MAFLD according to the diagnosis. Frequent non-skimmed milk consumption was independently associated with higher MAFLD risk. Compared to the “Rarely” group (< 1 time/week), the “Sometimes” group (≥ 1 time/week but < 1 time/day) had an odds ratio (OR) of 1.67 (95% CI: 1.32–2.12, P = 0.004), and the “Often” group (≥ 1 time/day) had an OR of 1.36 (95% CI: 1.06–1.75, P = 0.046). Stratified analysis revealed that the association was significantly modified by education level (P for interaction = 0.010), with a stronger association observed among participants with higher education levels. Sensitivity analysis yielded consistent results, further supporting the robustness of the association. Conclusion Our findings suggest a significant association between frequent non-skimmed milk consumption and risk of MAFLD, particularly in highly educated individuals. These results highlight the importance of dietary modifications, specifically reducing non-skimmed milk intake, as a potential preventive strategy for MAFLD, especially in high-risk populations.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-025-03834-xNon-skimmed milk consumptionMAFLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease)Cross-sectional studyNHANES
spellingShingle Futao Wu
Fuying Zheng
Xue Li
Danzhu Wu
Honghao Li
Yingyi Zeng
Yan Tang
Side Liu
Aimin Li
Association between non-skimmed milk consumption and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in US adults: insights from NHANES data
BMC Gastroenterology
Non-skimmed milk consumption
MAFLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease)
Cross-sectional study
NHANES
title Association between non-skimmed milk consumption and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in US adults: insights from NHANES data
title_full Association between non-skimmed milk consumption and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in US adults: insights from NHANES data
title_fullStr Association between non-skimmed milk consumption and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in US adults: insights from NHANES data
title_full_unstemmed Association between non-skimmed milk consumption and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in US adults: insights from NHANES data
title_short Association between non-skimmed milk consumption and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in US adults: insights from NHANES data
title_sort association between non skimmed milk consumption and metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease in us adults insights from nhanes data
topic Non-skimmed milk consumption
MAFLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease)
Cross-sectional study
NHANES
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-025-03834-x
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