AIM: To investigate the prevalence of and risk factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) in a Chinese population.METHODS: A total of 1948 adults from China was followed for 8 years. A cross-sectional study was performed to investigate the prevalence of NAFLD at baseline, and then the participants were followed for 8 years to investigate risk factors for the development of NAFLD.RESULTS: A total of 1948 participants were enrolled at baseline, of whom 691 were diagnosed with NAFLD. During the 8-year follow-up, 337 baseline NAFLD-free participants developed NAFLD. They had a greaterincrease in body mass index(BMI), serum uric acid, fasting plasma glucose, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and a considerable decrease in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. 123 participants who had NAFLD at baseline lost NAFLD during the 8-year follow-up period. They had a greater decrease in BMI, fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase.CONCLUSION: NAFLD is prevalent in Chinese population with a rapidly increasing tendency. It can be reversed when patients lose their weight, control their hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia, and reduce the liver enzyme levels. A investigate the prevalence of and risk factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in a Chinese population. METHODS: A total of 1948 adults from China was followed for 8 years. A cross-sectional study was performed to investigate the prevalence of NAFLD at baseline, and then the participants were followed for 8 years to investigate risk factors for the development of NAFLD .RESULTS: A total of 1948 participants were enrolled at baseline, of whom 691 were diagnosed with NAFLD. During the 8-year follow-up, 337 baseline NAFLD-free participants developed NAFLD. They had a greater in crease in body mass index (BMI), serum uric acid, fasting plasma glucose, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and a decreased in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. 123 had who had a greater decrease in BMI, fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholestero l, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase. CONCLUSION: NAFLD is prevalent in Chinese population with a rapidly increasing tendency. It can reduce their weight, control their hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia, and reduce the liver enzyme levels .