Genetic variants influencing liver fat in normal-weight individuals of European ancestry

This study provides new insights into the genetic risk factors underlying metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease in individuals with a normal BMI, a group often under-represented in steatotic liver disease research. Leveraging large-scale genomic and imaging data from the UK Biobank, we identified both known and novel variants associated with liver fat accumulation, emphasizing that genetic predisposition can drive hepatic steatosis independently of excess adiposity. While the study is based on individuals of European ancestry, future research should assess the relevance of these findings in more diverse populations to ensure broader clinical applicability. These results may help inform future strategies for early risk stratification and targeted prevention in metabolically vulnerable, normal-weight individuals.