Obesity and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Approximately 70-75% of overweight and obese individuals have fatty liver disease. Therefore, according to experts from Tam Anh General Hospital, treatment protocols for these patients must involve multidisciplinary collaboration to manage weight and reduce the risk of fatty liver progressing to hepatitis or cirrhosis.

On June 5, 2025, Tam Anh General Hospital in Hanoi, in collaboration with Novo Nordisk Vietnam Co., Ltd., successfully organized a professional seminar titled “Obesity & Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.” The event brought together leading experts in gastroenterology and obesity treatment from the Tam Anh General Hospital system and other hospitals across the country for discussion and knowledge sharing.

In the opening speech, People’s Doctor, Prof. Dr. Ngo Quy Chau, Deputy General Director of Tam Anh General Hospital System, emphasized that obesity is a serious global issue and one of the main causes of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

At the seminar, according to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Truong Khanh, Head of the Department of Gastroenterology at Tam Anh General Hospital Hanoi, a 2023 study showed that about 70-75% of overweight and obese individuals have fatty liver disease. Among them, more than 20% had developed hepatitis, and over 6% had liver fibrosis. Another study in 2022 concluded that overweight and obese individuals are more than twice as likely to have fatty liver compared to those with normal weight.

Dr. Khanh particularly emphasized the importance of effective weight control in patients with NAFLD. Specifically, a 3–5% weight loss can improve fatty liver, 7–10% can improve hepatitis, and more than 10% can help reverse liver fibrosis.

According to Dr. Khanh, managing NAFLD requires a multidisciplinary approach, with weight control being a key factor. He emphasized the importance of a healthy diet and increased physical activity in improving the condition.

Presenting at the seminar, Dr. Tran Quyen An from the Weight Management Center at Tam Anh General Hospital Hanoi also highlighted that the obesity epidemic is becoming a global burden, with projections indicating that by 2035, about 51% of the global population will be overweight or obese. Therefore, the mission of the Center is to support the community in preventing and treating overweight and obesity through a comprehensive approach.

In his report titled “Initial Results of Weight Loss Treatment at the Hanoi Center for Weight Management and Obesity Treatment,” Dr. An presented specific data demonstrating the effectiveness of treatment among overweight and obese patients at the Center.

Analysis showed that under a personalized, multimodal weight loss regimen, patients not only reduced weight but also positively changed their body composition (reducing visceral fat and liver fat without losing muscle mass or water). On average, patients lost 6.3 kg after three follow-up visits, with treatment effectiveness improving over time. A notable case included a patient who lost over 20 kg after six months of treatment at the Center.

Therefore, Dr. An proposed strengthening the model of continuous care for patients, especially after the initial consultation. He suggested building a remote support reminder system to help patients adhere to treatment protocols. He also stressed the need for continued multidisciplinary collaboration to highlight the unique strengths of a Weight Loss Center integrated within a general hospital system.

Also at the event, in a report titled “Liraglutide: Efficacy and Safety in Weight Loss Treatment for NAFLD Patients,” Dr. Vu Thi Phuong, Medical Information Advisor from Novo Nordisk Vietnam, shared important insights on the effectiveness of the medication in treating overweight and obesity, as well as its benefits in improving fatty liver conditions.