Fatty Liver - India's New Epidemic - One in Three Children Has It

SIBY JEYYA
It is not at all simple to treat chronic illnesses in youngsters. A 45-year-old sales manager at a pharmaceutical company in mumbai named Purvi Mishra would attest to that.
 
This year, Mishra's 12-year-old son received a fatty liver diagnosis. When the youngster was examined for stomach injuries following an accident at school, the diagnosis was made by accident. An enlarged liver was seen by the doctors. Grade 1 fatty liver, at which the disease can be rectified, was verified by further testing.

It's really challenging to keep an eye on my son's junk food consumption while he has a full-time job. He needs ongoing encouragement to work out every day. Children today typically lead unhealthy lifestyles. It takes a lot of perseverance and care to get children healthy, but it's essential for their future," Mishra adds.
 
Approximately one in three (35%) indian children have metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), according to a new study conducted by the All india Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. To avoid stigmatizing labels linked to alcohol intake, this is the new name used to categorize non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in children.

Two years prior, a research that was published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology had noted a comparable number. According to the study, the prevalence of MASLD among indian children was 35.4%, much higher than the global norm of 25%.
 
When the liver's cells contain an excessive amount of fat, MASLD develops. Although there are several causes for this, excessive calorie consumption and the ensuing low levels of exercise are the most frequent ones. Children often have extra liver fat but no accompanying inflammation or cell damage.
 

However, in certain instances, the fat may cause damage to the liver, which, if unchecked, may result in liver scarring and raise the chance of eventual liver failure or cancer. The illness is disastrous for overall health, even in the absence of liver impairment. Numerous metabolic disorders, including Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension, begin with a fatty liver.
 
Regretfully, the illness is quiet and takes a long time to manifest symptoms. Obese children should be evaluated for the problem between the ages of 9 and 11, according to the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition. Screening should also be done for children with a family history of the disorder. The diagnostic techniques may precisely measure the amount of fat in the liver and are often imaging-based.
 

According to renowned hepatologist Dr. S.K. Sarin, "lifestyle changes can reverse fatty liver in its early stages." Children should be encouraged to participate in activities they love, such as athletics, dancing, or simply taking family walks, according to several medical professionals.
 
Educating kids about the negative effects of foods like chips, soda, and sweets on their health is another strategy to encourage them to adopt a healthy diet and weight. On the other hand, the advantages of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. It has been demonstrated that education and awareness are significantly more effective than compulsion or threat in helping kids make healthy lifestyle choices.
 
 


 
 

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