This study examined the association between physical activity and liver steatosis within the framework of the Swiss HIV Cohort Study. Liver steatosis was measured using Fibroscan, a tool used to determine liver fat content, while physical activity was assessed using a standardized questionnaire.

Several measures of physical activity were evaluated: adherence to the recommendations of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL), the number of metabolic equivalents (MET) in task‑minutes per week, and the average amount of time spent sitting per day. Half of the study participants had liver steatosis.

The results showed that individuals who did not meet the EASL physical activity recommendations had a twofold higher risk of liver steatosis. Comparable results were also observed when using other measures of physical activity, such as weekly metabolic equivalents and daily sitting time. These associations remained significant even when the analysis was restricted to participants with a normal body mass index. The findings highlight the importance of physical activity in the prevention of liver steatosis in people living with HIV, regardless of body weight.

Source
Riebensahm C. et al. Decreased physical activity and prolonged sitting time are associated with liver steatosis in people with HIV. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 2024;44(1):169–179. doi:10.1097/QAI.0000000000003328. PMID: 37988659