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Time of India
02-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Sedentary lifestyle, increasing screen time, prolonged desk job and junk diets fuel a fatty liver epidemic among India's youth
Once considered a condition of the elderly, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease ( NAFLD ) is now increasingly affecting young adults in India, particularly those in sedentary professions, posing a significant public health challenge. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), now reclassified as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), is emerging as a significant health concern among young Indians, especially those engaged in sedentary occupations. Recent studies indicate a sharp rise in prevalence, with lifestyle factors such as prolonged sitting, poor dietary habits, and lack of physical activity being primary contributors. "A study conducted by the University of Hyderabad revealed that over 80% of IT professionals suffer from MASLD, with 71% classified as obese and 34% diagnosed with metabolic syndrome . These findings underscore the impact of sedentary work environments and unhealthy lifestyles on liver health." Dr. Ankur Garg, Director & Senior Consultant, Centre for Liver-GI Diseases and Transplantation (CLDT), Aakash Healthcare. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo The high prevalence of MASLD among IT professionals is a wake-up call. The combination of long working hours, physical inactivity, and poor dietary choices is taking a toll on the younger workforce. A Silent Progression NAFLD often develops quietly, with fat gradually accumulating in the liver. In its early stages, it may not cause any noticeable symptoms, making it difficult to detect without medical screening. However, the disease can escalate to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis, or even liver cancer if left untreated. 'The liver is a resilient organ, but this resilience often means that damage goes unnoticed until it's too late. By the time patients come to us with symptoms like fatigue, abdominal discomfort, or unexplained weight loss, significant damage may already have occurred.' Dr. Amit Miglani, Director & HOD – Gastroenterology, Asian Hospital. Not Just the Obese While obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol remain common risk factors, doctors are observing an increasing number of NAFLD cases among non-obese individuals. This emerging trend points to the multifactorial nature of the disease, with genetics, insulin resistance, and visceral fat playing critical roles. "Fatty liver is no longer a disease confined to those who are overweight or diabetic. We're now diagnosing young, seemingly healthy professionals who barely show any symptoms until the condition is in an advanced stage. Many of our patients with fatty liver have a normal BMI but still show signs of metabolic dysfunction. This tells us that lifestyle choices and genetic predisposition can be just as damaging as excess weight.' Dr Abhishek Yadav, Consultant and Director - HPB and Liver Transplant Surgeon, Jupiter Hospital. Lifestyle at the Core Experts agree that the modern sedentary lifestyle is a major contributor to this rise. Prolonged sitting, lack of exercise, and diets high in processed foods all contribute to fat buildup in the liver. These habits are particularly prevalent among India's urban youth, whose workdays are dominated by screens and minimal physical movement. 'Sedentary behavior reduces insulin sensitivity, leading to insulin resistance—one of the key drivers of NAFLD. Unfortunately, our current work culture encourages long hours at desks with little regard for movement or nutrition.' added Dr. Ankur Garg. The Gut-Liver-Brain Axis Emerging research suggests that fatty liver disease, particularly in its advanced stages, can have a profound impact on neurological health. The liver plays a critical role in filtering toxins from the blood, and when its function is compromised, harmful substances like ammonia can accumulate and affect brain function, Dr Praveen Gupta, Principal Director & Chief of Neurology, Fortis Hospital said. "There's growing evidence that the gut-liver-brain axis is significantly affected in patients with NAFLD. When liver health deteriorates, it can lead to subtle but chronic neurological disturbances that often go unnoticed until they worsen like memory lapses, difficulty concentrating, slowed thinking, mood changes, irritability or depression, and disturbed sleep patterns. In more severe cases, coordination problems or tremors may occur," Dr Gupta explained. Call for Early Screening and Prevention Health experts are urging primary care providers to incorporate liver function tests into routine health check-ups, particularly for those with risk factors. Policymakers are also being called upon to support public health awareness campaigns and fund research initiatives to better understand the spread and impact of NAFLD in India's diverse populations. 'We need to shift focus from treatment to prevention. Simple lifestyle modifications like 30 minutes of daily exercise, reducing processed food intake, and consuming more fiber-rich diets can go a long way in preventing fatty liver disease.' Dr Aakaar Kapoor, CEO & Lead Medical Advisor City XRay and Scan Clinic Pvt Ltd. As India's youth faces the consequences of an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, experts stress that the time to act is now. Early intervention, lifestyle changes, and regular medical check-ups could help curb the growing burden of fatty liver disease before it becomes an irreversible crisis.
New Indian Express
21-04-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Alarming rise in fatty liver cases among youth leading sedentary lives
The increasing prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease among India's youth is a pressing concern that cannot be overlooked, says Dr Ankur Garg , director at Centre for Liver-GI Diseases and Transplantation, Aakash Healthcare, Delhi, in an interview with Ashish Srivastav . Edited excerpts: How has the prevalence and age distribution of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) evolved over the years, particularly in the younger population? NAFLD is emerging as a significant health concern in India, particularly among young adults especially among those who have a desk job. Traditionally associated with older populations, NAFLD is now increasingly being diagnosed in individuals in their 20s and 30s, signaling a shift in the disease's demographic profile. A recent study published in 'Nature' showed 84% of IT professionals suffering from NAFLD. Their age varied from 30s to early 40s. How does NAFLD progress over time and why is it a silent but serious public health concern? It often develops silently and progresses without obvious symptoms until significant damage has occurred. It starts with the accumulation of excess fat in liver cells. At this point, the liver is still functioning normally, and many individuals remain unaware they have the condition. However, if this fat accumulation is accompanied by inflammation and cellular injury, it leads to serious problems. If left unmanaged, NAFLD can progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer. Moreover, people with NAFLD face an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases. What's worrying is that these liver issues are now showing up more often in younger people, even those who don't have the usual risk factors like obesity. In addition to the well-known risk factors, how is NAFLD affecting individuals who are not typically considered at risk? Although obesity and diabetes are well-established risk factors for NAFLD, the disease is now not confined to individuals with these conditions. A significant proportion of NAFLD cases occur in non-obese individuals highlighting the multifactorial nature of the disease. Apart from traditional risk factors, other mechanisms including genetic predisposition, insulin resistance, and visceral fat accumulation are also at play in non-obese individuals. What are the early signs and symptoms of NAFLD that people should watch out for? Many people live with the disease for years without knowing it. When symptoms do appear, they are often vague and nonspecific. Persistent fatigue is a common early complaint, as is a general sense of weakness or malaise. Some individuals may experience discomfort or a dull ache in the upper right abdomen, where the liver is located. In more advanced cases, patients may notice unintentional weight loss, nausea, or a reduced appetite. How does a sedentary lifestyle, especially prolonged sitting, increase the risk of NAFLD even in those who appear physically healthy? A sedentary lifestyle with prolonged sitting, lack of physical activity, and minimal energy expenditure, disrupts the body's natural metabolism and plays a significant role in fat accumulation in the liver, even in individuals who are not obese. Physical inactivity leads to reduced insulin sensitivity, which in turn promotes insulin resistance, a core driver of NAFLD. For people engaged in desk jobs or prolonged screen time, the risk exacerbates since these lifestyle patterns are often accompanied by the consumption of high-calorie, processed foods that are low in nutritional value. There is an urgent need to increase awareness about the risks of sedentary behaviour and unhealthy eating habits. What preventive measures and screening strategies can help detect and control NAFLD at an early stage? Regular liver health screenings should be part of primary healthcare, especially for individuals with risk factors like obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Such people should undergo regular check-ups, even if they feel healthy. Equally important is the promotion of preventive health strategies, such as daily physical activity and diets rich in fiber, whole grains, and lean proteins. To formulate policy decisions and intervention programmes, more robust research and data collection are necessary to better understand the spread and characteristics of NAFLD in diverse Indian populations.
