4 min readAug 4, 2025 04:53 PM IST
First published on: Aug 4, 2025 at 04:37 PM IST
More than 84 per cent of IT sector employees in Hyderabad had increased liver fat, indicating a condition called the MAFLD (or Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Fatty Liver Disease). This is basically fatty liver brought on by obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure. The IT employees seem to be a vulnerable group because of their largely sedentary lifestyles, poor diet and lack of sleep.
The study — based on data from 345 IT employees — found that 76.5 per cent had high levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein or bad) cholesterol, 70.7 per cent were obese and 20.9 per cent had higher than normal fasting blood glucose levels. While the study was published in the journal ‘Scientific Reports’ earlier this year, it was reported recently in the Parliament by Union Health Minister JP Nadda. He was answering a question by AIMIM member Asaduddin Owaisi on the burden of MAFLD and what the government was doing to combat the challenge.
What is MAFLD?
This is a chronic condition where excessive fat builds up in the liver. This can, over time, lead to inflammation and scarring, which damages the liver tissue. Unchecked, this leads to cirrhosis and even liver cancer. Until recently, the condition was referred to as Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) as the symptoms were similar to what would be seen in alcoholics but with alcohol consumption.
It is estimated that anywhere between nine per cent and 32 per cent of the population is living with this condition. In the absence of early symptoms, most people are unaware that they have fatty liver, often associated with drinking alcohol. It is only when the condition progresses and the liver gets damaged that people may experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, fatigue and weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin caused by bilirubin buildup when the liver does not function properly).
What are risk factors?
Obesity, especially fat around the abdomen, insulin resistance, high blood glucose levels, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels — are all considered to be risk factors for MAFLD.
A study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) — conducted with the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences — has been initiated to look for regional risk factors for fatty liver disease. Phase I of the study conducted in three tehsils of Jaipur found that 37.2 per cent people had fatty liver disease, with the prevalence being higher in men.
Importantly, it found that people consuming fast-food weekly were at an increased risk of fatty liver disease, with 76.3 per cent of the regular consumers of fast food having the condition, according to the reply in the parliament.
The study in IT employees from Hyderabad, quoted above, also looked at the prevalence of various risk factors. It found that 71.9 per cent of the employees were sitting for long hours at work, 25.8 per cent had shift work, 69.9 per cent were sleep deprived, and 37.97 per cent were stressed. “The work culture in the IT industry often involves engagement in sedentary activities for extended periods, shift work and irregular work hours, sleep deprivation, stress, and smoking, combined with unhealthy food options, creating the perfect storm for the development of metabolic syndromes and MAFLD,” the study said.
How does the government plan to prevent and control MAFLD?
Nadda said that the government, under its National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, was promoting healthy diet, regular physical exercise, weight management and reduced saturated fat and sugar content. “States and Union Territories have been requested to undertake screening and risk stratification,” the minister answered.
Obesity, especially fat around the abdomen, insulin resistance, high blood glucose levels, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels — are all considered to be risk factors for MAFLD. (Source: Pexels) 
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