Shah urged corporate houses to publicise the importance of liver health and support the institutes working in the field of liver treatment and research.Experts said Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, often called NAFLD, is a liver problem that affects people who drink little to no alcohol. They said India is seeing a rise in NAFLD cases, especially among young adults.According to Mahajan Imaging & Labs, in the past six months, they have found that 35% of young adults under 45 undergoing ultrasound scans have exhibited fatty liver.Health experts attribute this worrying trend to increasingly sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy eating patterns, and elevated stress levels – factors that are taking a toll on liver health across both younger and middle-aged age groups.Fatty liver, or hepatic steatosis, occurs when excess fat builds up in the liver. While often asymptomatic in its early stages, the condition can lead to severe complications such as liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer if left unchecked.NAFLD affects approximately 32.4% of the global population, making it the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. Moreover, the prevalence has increased from 26% in 2005 to 38% in recent years and is expected to reach 55.4% by 2040.Dr. Harsh Mahajan, Founder & Chairman, Mahajan Imaging & Labs, said, “Fatty liver often develops silently, with many individuals experiencing no noticeable symptoms in the early stages. However, signs like persistent fatigue, unexplained weight gain, abdominal discomfort, or elevated liver enzymes during routine blood tests can point to underlying issues.”Dr. Randhir Sud, Chairman of Gastroenterology and Gastrosciences, Medanta Hospital, said, “Fatty liver disease has evolved into one of the most pressing but under-recognised public health challenges of our time. We’re not just dealing with an increase in isolated cases – we’re witnessing a systemic shift in how and when the disease manifests. The progression from simple steatosis to inflammation, fibrosis, and even cirrhosis can occur silently over years, often without triggering any immediate alarms.”“This makes population-level screening, especially among younger adults, absolutely essential. Beyond lifestyle changes, we need stronger clinical protocols and public health strategies to integrate liver health into regular preventive care,” he said.Experts attribute this shift from older to younger adults is due to increased consumption of processed foods, reduced physical activity, irregular sleep cycles, and high levels of stress, especially in post-pandemic work cultures.
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