Latino Children Are Genetically Predisposed To Developing Fatty Liver Disease

The good news is that the scientific community is paying close attention to Latino kids. The less than good thing is what they’ve found.

According to newswise.com two studies out of the University of Southern California “have found evidence that Hispanic children and adolescents are genetically predisposed to developing fatty liver disease—a condition that can lead to cirrhosis, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.”

“Collectively these findings demonstrate that Hispanics are genetically susceptible to the negative health effects of high sugar consumption, and that this effect is manifested early in life,” said Principal Investigator Michael I. Goran, professor of preventive medicine, physiology and biophysics and pediatrics, and director of the USC Childhood Obesity Research Center at the Keck School of Medicine. “This is a major public health concern, especially in the face of massive marketing of sugary beverages to children.”

It’s all about the Big Red and the Mountain Dew. Latino kids, it seems, don’t have the genes for that kind of stuff.

Think someone should let our school districts know?