A new study has revealed a concerning health crisis among India’s IT workforce, with 84% of employees suffering from Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD). The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Hyderabad in collaboration with AIG Hospital, highlights the growing impact of sedentary work culture on liver health.

The findings indicate that 71% of IT employees are obese, and 34% have metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions that heightens the risk of fatty liver disease, obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Researchers attribute the high prevalence of MAFLD to long hours of desk work, work-related stress, inadequate sleep, and shift-based schedules. Poor dietary habits, including a high-calorie diet, sugar-laden beverages, and lack of physical activity, further exacerbate the problem.

The study was conducted by Professor Kalyankar Mahadev and Professor C.T. Anitha, along with research scholars Bharam Bhargava and Nanditha Pramod, in collaboration with senior hepatologist Dr. P.N. Rao and his team at AIG Hospital. Their findings were published in the prestigious journal Nature.

According to Mayo Clinic, MAFLD occurs when excess fat builds up in the liver, leading to a spectrum of liver conditions, including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

A 2023 study in the Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry highlights that MAFLD has become one of the most prevalent chronic liver diseases worldwide, driven by rising obesity rates over the last 30–40 years.

With India's IT sector expanding rapidly, the findings emphasise the urgent need for lifestyle changes, including regular exercise, healthier diets, and stress management, to combat this growing health crisis.