It has also become a significant concern among children aged 5-16 years. Previously, children were considered safe from this liver disease.
The number of children with NAFLD has increased alarmingly by 10-33 percent in just one decade.
Piyush Upadhyay, pediatric hepatologist, Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS), said consumption of processed food high in sugar and unhealthy fats is a major contributing factor to NAFLD in children.
Cautioning against the dangers of sugary drinks and junk food, he explained that triglycerides, a type of fat, accumulate in liver cells when the amount of fat taken in or produced by the body and the liver's ability to process and eliminate it are increased. There is an imbalance between the capabilities of, The liver normally processes fat from the body.
"This imbalance can be caused by a number of factors, including genetics, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, insulin resistance and unhealthy diet," Upadhya said. A decade ago, fatty liver disease was primarily caused by alcohol addiction. "
"However, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is becoming increasingly common. About 60-70 children with NAFLD are seen every month, more than double the number seen a decade ago," he said.,
Another gastroenterologist, Puneet Mehrotra, said, “Several studies have shown that NAFLD can be controlled in children as well as adults by making lifestyle changes, such as reducing sugar and junk food intake and taking regular meals.” "This can be reversed by exercising for as little as 30 minutes."
He emphasized the potential for NAFLD to progress to liver cirrhosis, a serious condition that requires liver transplantation.
"When we look at all the costs involved in junk food and sugar consumption and the number of healthy years of life lost, cutting down on sugar is cost-effective and saves money," said Ajay Verm, director of the department of gastroenterology at Medanta Hospital. Is." People remain healthy for a long time."
The number of children with NAFLD has increased alarmingly by 10-33 percent in just one decade.
Piyush Upadhyay, pediatric hepatologist, Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS), said consumption of processed food high in sugar and unhealthy fats is a major contributing factor to NAFLD in children.
Cautioning against the dangers of sugary drinks and junk food, he explained that triglycerides, a type of fat, accumulate in liver cells when the amount of fat taken in or produced by the body and the liver's ability to process and eliminate it are increased. There is an imbalance between the capabilities of, The liver normally processes fat from the body.
"This imbalance can be caused by a number of factors, including genetics, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, insulin resistance and unhealthy diet," Upadhya said. A decade ago, fatty liver disease was primarily caused by alcohol addiction. "
"However, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is becoming increasingly common. About 60-70 children with NAFLD are seen every month, more than double the number seen a decade ago," he said.,
Another gastroenterologist, Puneet Mehrotra, said, “Several studies have shown that NAFLD can be controlled in children as well as adults by making lifestyle changes, such as reducing sugar and junk food intake and taking regular meals.” "This can be reversed by exercising for as little as 30 minutes."
He emphasized the potential for NAFLD to progress to liver cirrhosis, a serious condition that requires liver transplantation.
"When we look at all the costs involved in junk food and sugar consumption and the number of healthy years of life lost, cutting down on sugar is cost-effective and saves money," said Ajay Verm, director of the department of gastroenterology at Medanta Hospital. Is." People remain healthy for a long time."