With 53%, Chandigarh has highest prevalence of fatty liver disease'
Chandigarh has recorded the highest prevalence of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) in the country, with 53.5 per cent of adults affected, significantly above the national average of 38 per cent, revealed a meta-analysis published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology.
Marking World Liver Day 2025, senior doctors at Paras Health Panchkula expressed concern over the rising incidence of fatty liver disease, particularly among children and young adults. The trend is being driven by increasingly unhealthy eating habits, sedentary lifestyles, and a lack of awareness about liver health. In response, the hospital has introduced a dedicated liver OPD to provide focused care for patients suffering from conditions such as hepatitis, fatty liver, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
'We are seeing serious liver issues even in non-drinkers, primarily due to the rising consumption of junk food high in fat and sugar,' said Dr Rakesh Kochhar, director, Gastroenterology, Paras Health Panchkula, and former professor at PGIMER. 'MAFLD has emerged as a silent epidemic. Most patients remain asymptomatic until significant liver damage occurs.'
MAFLD, earlier known as NAFLD, is characterised by fat accumulation of over 5 per cent in the liver in the absence of alcohol consumption. Experts warned that it often goes undetected without routine screening. 'People who are obese, diabetic or follow unhealthy diets should undergo regular liver check-ups. If left untreated, MAFLD can progress to cirrhosis or liver cancer,' said Dr Mohnish Kataria, senior consultant, Gastroenterology.
The doctors also cautioned against self-medication and unregulated herbal remedies, advocating lifestyle modifications and timely diagnosis as the most effective tools for liver disease prevention. 'Keeping the liver healthy is essential for a better quality of life,' added Kochhar.
Ajay Duseja, head, Hepatology Department, PGIMER, said that research suggests that the MAFLD diagnosis should not be based solely on body mass index (BMI), as it is not a reliable indicator of disease risk. 'This condition can be just as severe in lean individuals as in overweight patients, and should be taken seriously and regular checkups are essential.'
Fatty liver has become a lifestyle disorder, making it crucial to follow a healthy routine. Cases of fatty liver are also increasing in children due to decreased physical activity, and experts suggest maintaining a healthy diet, doing exercise; avoiding junk food and alcohol consumption. They also recommend not ignoring symptoms like lethargy, abdominal pain, fatigue, and scheduling liver checkups, with an ultrasound.
'The liver plays a vital role in maintaining overall health and supporting immunity, digestion, and metabolism. Any compromise in liver function can severely impact not just the digestive system, but also the kidneys, lungs, heart, and brain. One of the growing concerns affecting liver health today is excessive fat accumulation, which can silently progress to serious complications if left unnoticed,' said Dr Gurbakshish Singh Sidhu, principal consultant gastroenterology at Max Hospital Mohali.
Some of the most common symptoms of liver disease include loss of appetite, abdominal pain, jaundice, and unexplained weight loss. Sidhu suggested that regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, following a balanced diet, which is low in fat and sugar, and high in fibre, can significantly reduce the risk of liver damage.
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