Association between fast eating speed and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: a multicenter cross-sectional study and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: With the fast pace of modern life, people have less time for meals, but few studies have examined the association between the habit of fast eating and metabolic diseases. OBJECTIVE: Combining the results of the current study and prior ones, the aim was to investigate the relationship between fast eating and risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). METHODS: Sub-analysis of a multicenter cross-sectional study of 1965 Chinese participants evaluated the association between fast eating (meal time <5 minutes) and MASLD across three self-reported frequency categories (≤1 time/month, ≤1 time/week, ≥2 times/week). A systematic literature search (to November 2023) and meta-analysis were also conducted. RESULTS: MASLD prevalence was 59.3%, 50.5%, and 46.2% in fast eating ≥2 times/week, ≤1 time/week, and ≤1 time/month groups, respectively (P for trend <0.001). Fast eating frequency was independently associated with MASLD after adjusting for demographics, lifestyle, BMI, and metabolic parameters (OR 1.29; 95% CI 1.09–1.53). Frequent fast eaters (≥2 times/week) had 81% higher risk of MASLD (P=0.011). Meta-analysis of five eligible studies showed frequent fast eating associated with increased MASLD risk (pooled OR 1.22; 95% CI 1.07–1.39). CONCLUSIONS: Frequent fast eating is associated with increased risk of MASLD.

Miao Zhang, Xiaoyang Sun, Xiaopeng Zhu, Lili Zheng, Yufang Bi, Qiang Li, Lirong Sun, Fusheng Di, Yushan Xu, Dalong Zhu, Yanyan Gao, Yuqian Bao, Yao Wang, Lanjie He, Chenmin Fan, Xin Gao, Jian Gao, Mingfeng Xia, Hua Bian