Managing Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) in the Digital Era: Overcoming Barriers to Lifestyle Change.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-25-2025

Publication Title

Cureus

Abstract

Obesity presents a significant global health challenge due to its association with a range of systemic disorders. One such condition is metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which has become the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. The prevalence of MASLD is closely linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and sedentary lifestyles, posing substantial risks for liver-related morbidity and extrahepatic complications such as cardiovascular and renal diseases. Despite recent advancements in pharmacological treatments, lifestyle modification remains the cornerstone of MASLD management. This review summarizes current evidence on lifestyle interventions, focusing on weight loss, dietary improvements, and increased physical activity. It also explores barriers to implementation, including socioeconomic factors, limited patient awareness, and stigma, while highlighting innovative strategies such as group-based programs, web-based interventions, and mobile technologies. As MASLD continues to rise globally, prioritizing lifestyle-based and scalable approaches will be critical to reducing its burden and improving patient outcomes.

Volume

17

Issue

5

First Page

84803

DOI

10.7759/cureus.84803

ISSN

2168-8184

PubMed ID

40568294

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