Why junk food and chemicals might give teens a fatty liver

Studies in humans have found that higher exposure to certain chemicals called bisphenol A and phthalates is linked to a greater chance of dying from heart disease, developing metabolic problems, and experiencing reproductive issues.

Higher levels of certain environmental chemicals, mono-benzyl phthalate and bisphenol A, in the urine of adolescents aged 12–19 are linked to higher indicators of fat accumulation in the liver and a greater likelihood of being diagnosed with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

Adolescents exposed to a combination of common environmental chemicals like phenols, pesticides, and phthalates have a significantly higher likelihood of developing MASLD, a liver condition, with two specific chemicals—mono-benzyl phthalate and bisphenol A—appearing to contribute most strongly. This suggests that exposure to multiple chemicals together may be more harmful to liver health than exposure to any single chemical.

In adolescents, higher levels of white blood cells may explain a small portion of the link between exposure to a common chemical called mono-benzyl phthalate and the early buildup of fat in the liver.

In adolescents, being inactive or sitting for long periods is linked to a higher chance of developing liver damage from exposure to environmental chemicals, compared to those who are more active.