Epidemiology of metabolic hepatic steatosis

Over the past 60 years, many countries have experienced a significant shift in dietary habits and physical activity patterns. Traditional diets have been replaced by poor-quality foods and sedentarism has intensified, thus promoting an obesogenic environment that has significantly impacted public health. Additionally, genetic, environmental, and socioeconomic conditions have contributed to increased prevalence of obesity, diabetes, arterial hypertension, and dyslipidemia, along with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. Similarly, deaths from cardiovascular disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma have multiplied. Although we understand the risk factors for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, prevention remains absent or insufficient, particularly at the primary care level. Global figures are alarming, and Mexico is no exception; our country has one of the highest metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease prevalence rates worldwide. The impact of this shift away from healthy habits has been notable at economic, social, and health system levels. Healthcare costs are extremely high and health systems have already been overwhelmed; care is neither timely nor effective. The outlook is concerning and tends to worsen unless awareness of the problem’s magnitude is achieved.