5. The HOMA-IR was not calculated for individuals taking insulin. Information

regarding comorbidities, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome, were also collected. Diabetes mellitus was defined in individuals with fasting blood glucose >126 mg/dL or on drug treatment for diabetes. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥140 mmHg or diastolic blood selleck inhibitor pressure (DBP) ≥90 mmHg. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria, which require at least three of the following: (1) WC >102 and 88 cm, for men and women, respectively; (2) fasting triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL or on drug treatment for hypertriglyceridemia; (3) HDL cholesterol <40 or < 50 mg/dL for men and women, respectively, or on drug treatment for dyslipidemia; (4) blood pressure ≥130/85 mmHg or on drug treatment for hypertension; and (5) fasting blood glucose ≥110 mg/dL or on drug treatment for diabetes mellitus. Medication see more usage was recorded in detail at the time of enrollment of each participant into a NASH CRN study. Physical

exam findings, including vital signs, acanthosis nigricans, and palmar erythema, were recorded. Data were also collected regarding self-reporting of family history of NAFLD. Dietary information was obtained using a validated dietary questionnaire (Block Food Questionnaire, version 1998), based upon self-reported typical eating habits over the past year. Estimates of total calories consumed and proportion of carbohydrate and fat

intake were generated Cell press using the method previously published by Block et al. 16 At the time of enrollment, NASH CRN study participants also completed a questionnaire, which was derived from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, on self-reported leisure-time physical activity. 17 In the questionnaire, participants reported the amount of time spent per week performing specific leisure-time activities, including brisk walking, jogging, running, hiking/climbing, biking on hills, biking on flat surfaces, swimming, using a treadmill or step machine, dancing, aerobics, calisthenics, weight lifting, golfing, playing singles or doubles tennis, basketball, football, and soccer. Participants were also given the opportunity to enter free text responses for their activities. 18 Using a standard reference for metabolic equivalent (MET) intensities for specific activities and the reported duration of each activity, a score for each individual’s total physical activity, expressed as metabolic hours per week (MET hours/week), was generated. 19 Continuous data are reported as mean or median values with associated 95% confidence intervals [95% CIs]. Student’s t or nonparametric tests were utilized to compare continuous variables, as appropriate.