The Relationship of Eating Behavior with Daily Dietary Pattern and Lipid Profiles in Patients with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Introduction/Objective: This study aimed to examine eating behavior and its association with daily dietary patterns and lipid profiles in adults with NAFLD. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 280 adults with NAFLD. Dietary intake was assessed using a 24-hour food recall questionnaire for three days, and eating behavior was evaluated with the Dutch eating behavior questionnaire. Factor analysis was used to identify the dietary patterns. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 19. Results: Two dietary patterns were identified. "Healthy dietary pattern" (vegetables, fish and chicken, and tea and coffee) and the "unhealthy dietary pattern" (refined grains, potatoes, fried onions, red meat, soda and processed fruit juices, high-fat dairy products, and solid and liquid oils). No significant association was found between emotional eating and any of the healthy and unhealthy eating patterns, and lipid profile parameters (p>0.05). External eating was positively associated with unhealthy dietary patterns (p=0.002), and restrained eating was associated directly with healthy dietary patterns (p=0.001). External and restrained eating were inversely associated with serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides, respectively (p=0.042 and p=0.003). Discussion: External eating behavior was linked to unhealthy dietary patterns and adverse lipid parameters, whereas restrained eating was associated with healthier food choices and improved triglyceride levels. Behavioral characteristics may therefore influence dietary quality and metabolic risk in NAFLD. Conclusion: Our findings suggest a complex interplay between eating behaviors, dietary patterns, and lipid profile in NAFLD. Personalized dietary interventions and nutrition education may improve eating patterns and help manage dyslipidemia in NAFLD patients.