Interplay of childhood metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and obesity in the development of youth-onset type 2 diabetes

MASLD represents a critical metabolic threat in pediatric populations, strongly influenced by obesity and closely associated with increased risk of youth-onset T2D. Effective management requires early detection, multidisciplinary interventions, and equitable access to care. Future research should prioritize the validation of noninvasive diagnostic tools, development of targeted therapies, and reduction of socioeconomic and ethnic disparities in disease burden and treatment outcomes.