Hepatic lipoidosis is often secondary to which of the following?

• A. Increased fatty acid mobilization
• B. Malnutrition or starvation
• C. Prolonged immobilization
• D. Viborg's Triangle

Answer: (B)

Hepatic lipidosis occurs when the body is in negative energy balance and mobilizes a large amount of fat to meet energy needs. When intake is insufficient (malnutrition or starvation), fat stores are broken down into fatty acids that flood the liver. The liver takes up these fatty acids to use for energy, but it can’t oxidize or export them quickly enough, so triglycerides accumulate inside hepatocytes and the liver becomes fatty. The initiating trigger is reduced intake—malnutrition or starvation—which is why that option best explains why hepatic lipidosis develops. Increased fatty acid mobilization is part of the mechanism, but it’s the result of the energy deficit, not the primary trigger. Prolonged immobilization and Viborg's triangle are not the typical causes related to the development of fatty liver in this context.