84% IT employees in India have fatty liver disease, 71% obese, study finds

The condition of fatty liver if unchecked, can lead to 'severe forms of liver diseases like cirrhosis and cancer requiring liver transplantation,' the study stated.

A recent study shows that about 84 per cent IT employees in India have fatty liver disease while around 71 per cent are obese, and about 34 per cent of them had metabolic syndrome.

The research was carried out by scientists and research scholars from University of Hyderabad.

The fatty liver disease—Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD)—occurs due to excessive buildup of fat in liver cells. When more than 5 per cent of fat builds up in the liver due to various behavioral and metabolic risk factors, the problems arise.

The study stated that IT workers' lifestyle is such that they have to sit for prolonged hours at work desk, and stress, inadequate sleep, as well as shift-based work add to their woes.

Additionally, unhealthy eating habits such as a high-calorie diet, sugar intake, and lack of physical activities complicate things further.

The condition of fatty liver, if unchecked, can lead to "severe forms of liver diseases like cirrhosis and cancer requiring liver transplantation".

With about 71 per cent are obese, 34 per cent have metabolic syndrome, which is basically a "cluster of diseased conditions that increase the risk of fatty liver, obesity, diabetes and increased blood pressure."

The study also pointed out the importance of health programs. "Although, most of the major IT companies have an in-built health wellness program, it’s employees should take advantage and adhere to the existing programs for their physical wellbeing," it stated.

With regular health checkups, proper work life balance, and employees being able to manage their stress, there could be a possible reduction in fatty liver problem.

The study was carried out by scientists Kalyankar Mahadev and C T Anitha, and research scholars Bharam Bhargava and Nanditha Pramod at the University of Hyderabad, in collaboration with P N Rao, a senior hepatologist from Asian Institute of Gastroenterology (AIG).