Managing Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Through Structured Lifestyle Modification Interventions (AJLM Volume 20, Issue 3)

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a significant global health burden. It comprises a broad pathological spectrum ranging from simple liver steatosis to steatohepatitis with variable degrees of fibrosis, and liver failure. Patients with NAFLD have an increased risk of liver-related and overall mortality. While the trials to assess the efficacy of the medications are ongoing, lifestyle modification is the first line of therapy recommended. The primary aim of this review paper is to synthesize literature related to current evidence-based lifestyle interventions for preventing and managing NAFLD. The review and synthesis of the literature reveal that personalized nutritional, exercise, and behavior change interventions are effective in managing NAFLD. Evidence suggests that there are several gaps in managing NAFLD. The gaps discussed in this paper include a lack of awareness of the disease, ineffective patient-provider communication, shortage of specialists, under-recognition of the disease, and liver health disparities. This paper highlights the evidence-based opportunities to overcome those gaps, such as utilizing comprehensive models of care, clinical care pathways, and clinical practice guidelines. Primary care physicians and endocrinologists, who are the first point of contact must utilize these opportunities for diagnosing and managing patients with NAFLD. 

This course expires March 8, 2027, at 11:59 PM PST.    

Course Format

This course consists of ​1​ AJLM article and ​1​ hour of content.  

Target Audience

This course is applicable for interprofessional healthcare team including physicians, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, physician associates, registered dietitians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, other health professionals working with chronic disease prevention or treatment, certified health coaches, and clinicians in training.  

Learning Objectives

After studying the article, learners will be able to

  1. Describe available screening tools for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and their appropriate use in clinical practice.  
  2. Evaluate the effects of physical activity on hepatic and metabolic outcomes in patients with NAFLD and incorporate these strategies into patient counseling. 
  3. Identify evidence-based dietary approaches recommended for the management of NAFLD and their impact on disease progression.  
  4. Explain the relationship between degree of body weight loss and improvements in steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis in patients with NAFLD.  
  5. Compare the benefits and limitations of commonly used NAFLD screening tools, including their accuracy, accessibility, and clinical applicability.  
Activity summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 ABLM MOC

    The American Board of Lifestyle Medicine has approved 1.00 maintenance of certification credits (MOC) for this learning activity.

  • 1.00 ABS Accredited CME

    Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.

  • 1.00 ACPE Pharmacy

    Rush University Medical Center designates this knowledge-based Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 contact hour(s) for pharmacists.

  • 1.00 ACPE Technician

    Rush University Medical Center designates this knowledge-based Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 contact hour(s) for pharmacy technicians.

  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

    Rush Medical Center designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 1.00 ANCC

    Rush University Medical Center designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 nursing contact hour(s).

  • 1.00 APA

    Rush University Medical Center designates this Enduring material for 1.00 CE credits in psychology. Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship in the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.

  • 1.00 ASWB

    As a Jointly Accredited Organization, Rush University Medical Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved continuing education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers completing this course receive 1.00 general continuing education credits.

  • 1.00 Attendance

    Successful completion of this course activity, including active participation in the evaluation component, entitles the learner to receive a participation certificate from ACLM. Please note that this certificate is offered solely in recognition of engagement, and no academic or professional credit is awarded.

  • 1.00 CPEU

    This Enduring material has been approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Completion of this activity awards 1.00 CPEUs.

  • 1.00 Occupational Therapy CE

    Rush University Medical Center is an approved provider for physical therapy (216.000378) and occupational therapy (224.000220) by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. Rush University Medical Center designates this Enduring material for 1.00 continuing education credits.

  • 1.00 Participation (AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for non-MDs)

    Rush University Medical Center designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 1.00 Physical Therapy CE

    Rush University Medical Center is an approved provider for physical therapy (216.000378) and occupational therapy (224.000220) by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. Rush University Medical Center designates this Enduring material for 1.00 continuing education credits.

Activity opens: 
03/04/2026
Activity expires: 
03/08/2027
Cost:
$40.00
  • Brenda Rea, MD, DrPH, PT, RD, DipABLM, FACLM, Lifestyle Medicine Intensivist 
  • Jonathan Bonnet, MD, MPH, DipABLM, FACLM 
  • Micaela Karlsen, PhD, MPSH 

Accreditation Statement, Disclosure Information and Credit Designation Statements

Accreditation Statement: In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by RUSH University Medical Center and American College of Lifestyle Medicine. RUSH University Medical Center is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

 

Disclosure Information

As a provider of continuing education, Rush University Medical Center asks everyone who has the ability to control or influence the content of an educational activity to disclose information about all of their financial relationships with ineligible companies within the prior 24 months.  There is no minimum financial threshold; individuals must disclose all financial relationships, regardless of the amount, with ineligible companies.  Individuals must disclose regardless of their view of the relevance of the relationship to the education.  Mechanisms are in place to identify and mitigate any potential conflicts of interest prior to the start of the activity.  All information disclosed must be shared with the participants/learners prior to the start of the educational activity. 

Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices:  In accordance with requirements of the FDA, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing medical education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices.  Please refer to the FDA approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information. 

Individuals in control of content have disclosed the following:  

  • Rohit Moghe, PharmD, MSPH, CDCES: Member, Speaker's Bureau - Novo Nordisk 

All of the relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated. The remaining course director(s), planner(s), faculty, and reviewer(s) of this activity have no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose. 

Available Credit

  • 1.00 ABLM MOC

    The American Board of Lifestyle Medicine has approved 1.00 maintenance of certification credits (MOC) for this learning activity.

  • 1.00 ABS Accredited CME

    Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.

  • 1.00 ACPE Pharmacy

    Rush University Medical Center designates this knowledge-based Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 contact hour(s) for pharmacists.

  • 1.00 ACPE Technician

    Rush University Medical Center designates this knowledge-based Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 contact hour(s) for pharmacy technicians.

  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

    Rush Medical Center designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 1.00 ANCC

    Rush University Medical Center designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 nursing contact hour(s).

  • 1.00 APA

    Rush University Medical Center designates this Enduring material for 1.00 CE credits in psychology. Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship in the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.

  • 1.00 ASWB

    As a Jointly Accredited Organization, Rush University Medical Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved continuing education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers completing this course receive 1.00 general continuing education credits.

  • 1.00 Attendance

    Successful completion of this course activity, including active participation in the evaluation component, entitles the learner to receive a participation certificate from ACLM. Please note that this certificate is offered solely in recognition of engagement, and no academic or professional credit is awarded.

  • 1.00 CPEU

    This Enduring material has been approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Completion of this activity awards 1.00 CPEUs.

  • 1.00 Occupational Therapy CE

    Rush University Medical Center is an approved provider for physical therapy (216.000378) and occupational therapy (224.000220) by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. Rush University Medical Center designates this Enduring material for 1.00 continuing education credits.

  • 1.00 Participation (AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for non-MDs)

    Rush University Medical Center designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 1.00 Physical Therapy CE

    Rush University Medical Center is an approved provider for physical therapy (216.000378) and occupational therapy (224.000220) by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. Rush University Medical Center designates this Enduring material for 1.00 continuing education credits.

Price

Cost:
$40.00
Please login or create an account to take this course.

ACLM member and category discounts are applied at checkout.

To receive member-only pricing, please join as a member FIRST, then complete your course enrollment in a separate transaction. For more information, please click here.

Non-memberACLM Members

$40

$0

Access to online material is granted through the term of approval, which ends March 8, 2027. 
 

Participant User Agreement (Terms of Use and Copyright) 

Before registering for a Continuing Education/Continuing Medical Education Course (“Training”) for the first time, carefully review the following conditions of usage at https://lifestylemedicine.org/terms-of-use-and-copyright/

Registering for an American College of Lifestyle Medicine Course indicates your acceptance of the Participant User Agreement and its terms and conditions. 

Required Hardware/software

This course can be viewed on desktop or tablet using a modern browser and most mobile devices.