Obesity has been an increasing health risk globally, with many countries tackling it with healthier food options, more affordable access to health institutions and as well as encouraging people to take up healthier habits like walking, by making the cities more foot accessible. In India, we are witnessing obesity rising as a major health concern. According to the National Health Survey 2019-21, 24% woman and 23% men were overweight. But why is obesity such a big concern? As you may know, it increases the risk of other health issues and is a big issue for those who spend prolonged hours being sedentary due to their work like IT employees. A study highlighted this concern in the growing IT hub, Hyderabad. Unhealthy Lifestyles and Liver Disease in IT Workers A study published in the Scientific Reports Journal looked at the health of IT employees in Hyderabad, India, and found a surprisingly high number of them have a liver condition called Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD). This disease, which is often linked to an unhealthy lifestyle, was found in a huge majority of the workers studied. The study, which included 345 IT employees, found that their work habits were putting them at high risk for health problems. High Prevalence of MAFLD: A staggering 84% of the IT employees had MAFLD. This is much higher than the general population. Lifestyle Risks: The study showed that many of the employees had unhealthy habits. For example: 72% sat for long hours at work.70% got too little sleep.38% reported high stress levels.Health Issues: These lifestyle factors were linked to other health problems: 70% were obese.34% had Metabolic Syndrome, a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes.76% had high levels of "bad" cholesterol (LDL-C).What Is MAFLD? According to the Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry, Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is now understood to be the liver's response to a group of health problems known as metabolic syndrome. As rates of obesity and diabetes rise globally, MAFLD is becoming more common. This disease can range from simple fat buildup in the liver to a more serious condition called NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis), which can lead to severe liver scarring (cirrhosis) and even liver cancer. For a long time, MAFLD was difficult to treat because it's a very complex disease. However, in the last 20 years, scientists have been testing many new drugs, and the results are promising. Recent studies have focused on drugs that can tackle the three main issues with MAFLD: Fat buildup in the liver.Inflammation (swelling).Fibrosis (scarring).In the next few years, it's very likely that doctors will have new medications to help people with MAFLD at different stages. This is a huge step forward in treating this widespread health problem. What This Means for IT Workers The study's findings highlight an urgent need for action. The sedentary nature of IT work, combined with unhealthy eating and stress, is creating a serious health risk for a large number of employees. MAFLD can get worse over time and lead to severe liver problems that have no cure. The researchers recommend that IT companies and the government create health programs to help these employees. This includes encouraging more physical activity, promoting better diets, and providing regular health screenings to catch diseases like MAFLD early. How Is The Indian Government Tackling This Issue?Union Health Minister JP Nadda recently informed Parliament that the government is taking action to address the growing issue of fatty liver disease. He stated that all states have been asked to screen citizens to identify and manage the condition. An Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) study, conducted in with the Institute of Biliary and Liver Disease on a project called the Indian Metabolic and Liver Disease (IMELD) Study. The goal of this project is to create a screening tool for fatty liver disease by studying health data from different parts of India. The first phase of this study took place in three districts of Jaipur, Rajasthan. The IMELD study successfully raised awareness about liver health by screening people for fatty liver using a special device called a Fibroscan. It also checked participants for other health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure.