The prevalence rate of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing year by year, and at present, it has become one of the most common chronic liver diseases in adults in China. NAFLD can progress from nonalcoholic fatty degeneration of the liver to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, NAFLD-associated cardiovascular events, and death. This article reviews the risk factors for the development of NAFLD and the progression of NAFLD to major diseases such as liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, related cardiovascular events, and death, in order to further explore the mechanism of the development and progression of NAFLD, reduce the prevalence rate of NAFLD, slow down the progression of NAFLD, reduce the mortality rate of related diseases, and achieve better prevention and treatment.

Childhood nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common cause of chronic liver diseases in children and adolescents; its unique histopathological and clinical features may lead to its progression to liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, and liver cancer, and compared with adult NAFLD, it is more likely to cause other diseases and increase mortality rate. Therefore, early identification of risk factors for childhood NAFLD, effective screening of high-risk population, active prevention, and early diagnosis and treatment are key to effective clinical management of this disease. This article elaborates on the risk factors, screening methods, and preventive healthcare measures for childhood NAFLD, in order to standardize the comprehensive management of NAFLD, reduce the prevalence rate of NAFLD, delay its progression, and alleviate the economic and public health burden brought by the disease.