Sedentary lifestyle linked to fatty liver disease, say experts

By Admin

16 Apr, 2025

Rising Health Concern in the Modern Era
The modern lifestyle, marked by long hours of sitting, poor eating habits, and lack of physical activity, is increasingly being associated with serious health conditions—one of which is fatty liver disease. Medical experts have flagged this concern at the recently held REACH (Recent Advances and Controversies in Hepatology) conference hosted by Apollo Hospitals in Ahmedabad. The conference gathered leading experts from India and abroad to discuss the growing burden of liver diseases, including liver cancer and transplantation trends.

Understanding the Shift: NAFLD to MDSLD
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is now also referred to as Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MDSLD). This new nomenclature better reflects the metabolic roots of the disease. Dr. Chirag Desai, the organizing chairman of the REACH event, emphasized,

"Compared to the past decade, there was surely a rise in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is now also identified as Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MDSLD). It is closely linked to lifestyle choices. There is more focus on it now, perhaps due to the fact that we are now identifying more cases at an earlier stage due to better diagnostics."

Startling Statistics from the Health of the Nation Report 2025
A recently launched report titled Health of the Nation 2025 has revealed alarming statistics. Out of 2.5 lakh individuals screened, about 65% were found to have fatty liver—a condition where fat builds up in the liver even without alcohol consumption. What's more concerning is that 52% of these individuals had normal liver enzyme levels, meaning the condition was only detectable via radio imaging, not standard blood tests.

The report also pointed to obesity and diabetes as major contributors:

• 76% of those with fatty liver also had obesity
  
  

• 82% were found to have diabetes
  
  

These findings highlight the silent yet serious impact of modern-day sedentary lifestyles and poor metabolic health.

Alarming Rise in Liver Issues Among Youth and the Slim
One of the key issues highlighted at the REACH conference was the growing incidence of liver disease in children and slim individuals. Dr. Guruprasad Shetty, a liver transplant specialist, stressed that childhood obesity is emerging as a major risk factor for liver disease in adulthood.
Adding to this concern, Dr. Tasneem Pirani from the UK pointed out that liver disease is no longer limited to visibly overweight individuals.

“Even those with relatively slim body profiles are developing liver diseases,” she said, indicating that metabolic health can be poor regardless of body weight.

The Way Forward: Prevention is Better than Cure
Experts unanimously agree that lifestyle modification is the key to combating this epidemic. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and routine health screenings are essential in preventing the onset of fatty liver disease. With better diagnostics now available, early detection can make a significant difference in managing and reversing the condition.

Conclusion
The REACH conference and the Health of the Nation 2025 report have both sounded a clear warning—sedentary habits and unhealthy lifestyles are quietly damaging liver health across all age groups. It’s time we take proactive steps to ensure a healthier future by prioritizing fitness, balanced nutrition, and regular health check-ups.