Emerging evidence suggests that in addition to metabolic, genetic and environmental factors, circadian rhythm also plays a role in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aimed to explore the association of 24 h behavior rhythm (activity-rest and feeding-fasting rhythm) with NAFLD. A total of 4502 adult participants with overweight/obesity from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2014 were included in the current study. The behavior rhythm indices were calculated and divided into quintiles for logistic regression models. Compared to those in the lowest quintile, participants in the highest quintile of relative amplitude (RA) had a lower risk of NAFLD (OR = 0.71, 95% CI, 0.55-0.91); participants in the highest quintile of the average activity of the least active continuous 5 h period (L5) were associated with a higher risk of NAFLD (OR = 1.35, 95% CI, 1.07-1.71). Additionally, participants in the highest quintile of fasting duration and feeding rhythm score were associated with a lower risk of NAFLD relative to those in the lowest quintile (OR = 0.76, 95% CI, 0.59-0.98 for fasting duration, OR = 0.74, 95% CI, 0.58-0.95 for feeding rhythm score). The associations were stronger among participants with obesity. No significant associations were found in the relationship of other behavior rhythm indices with NAFLD. This study indicated a significant association of 24 h behavior rhythm with NAFLD among American adults with overweight/obesity.
Keywords: activity–rest rhythm; feeding–fasting rhythm; non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; obesity.