Study Finds High Rates of Fatty Liver Disease Among IT Professionals in Hyderabad
Study Finds High Rates of Fatty Liver Disease Among IT Professionals in Hyderabad
A recent study by the University of Hyderabad (UoH) and the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology (AIG) has raised serious health concerns for IT professionals in India. The research found that 84% of IT employees in Hyderabad suffer from Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD).
Why Is This Happening?
The study links the high rate of MAFLD to the sedentary lifestyle of IT professionals. Many employees sit for long hours, experience high work stress, suffer from poor sleep, and follow unhealthy eating habits—all of which increase the risk of fatty liver and other serious diseases.
The research was led by Prof. Kalyankar Mahadev and Prof. CT Anitha, along with scholars Bharam Bhargava and Nanditha Pramod. It surveyed 345 IT employees in Hyderabad between July 2023 and July 2024.
What Is Fatty Liver Disease?
Fatty liver disease happens when fat builds up in the liver (more than 5% of its weight). If left untreated, it can lead to severe liver problems like cirrhosis, liver cancer, or even the need for a transplant.
Other Key Findings
- 71% of IT employees are obese.
- 34% suffer from metabolic syndrome—a combination of health conditions that increase the risk of fatty liver, obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
What Can Be Done?
Experts believe that promoting healthy habits and supporting IT employees can help reduce MAFLD cases. While many IT companies have health and wellness programs, employees must actively take part in regular check-ups, manage stress, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Official Recognition
This research was funded by the Union Ministry of Education’s Institution of Eminence (IoE) Program and has been accepted for publication in the respected scientific journal Scientific Reports (published by Nature). The findings will be shared with the global scientific community.
The researchers thanked University of Hyderabad Vice-Chancellor BJ Rao and IoE Director M. Ghanashyam Krishna for their guidance and support throughout the study.
