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Over 35 Percent of Children and Youth in India Affected by Fatty Liver
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News18•10-10-2026, 18:29
Over 35 Percent of Children and Youth in India Affected by Fatty Liver
- •Poor eating habits and lifestyle disruptions are severely impacting liver health, trapping many young people and children in India with fatty liver.
- •According to experts at the World Gastroenterology Congress 2026, the prevalence of fatty liver among Indian children is as high as 35.4 percent.
- •Early stages of fatty liver disease often show no clear symptoms, leading to diagnoses mostly during routine blood tests or ultrasounds for other issues.
- •Obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and lack of physical activity significantly increase the risk of fat accumulation in the liver.
- •Improving diet by reducing processed foods, increasing physical activity, and losing excess weight can help reduce the risk of fatty liver.
Key Questions Answered
According to research and experts at the World Gastroenterology Congress 2026, approximately 38 percent of youth and 35.4 percent of children in India are affected by fatty liver.
Clear symptoms of fatty liver are usually not visible in the early stages, meaning most people are only diagnosed while undergoing blood tests or ultrasounds for other medical issues.
Improving diet by reducing sugary, fried, and processed foods, increasing physical activity, and losing excess weight can help reduce risks. Doctors may also evaluate medical history, check liver enzymes like ALT and AST via liver function tests, or recommend an ultrasound.
