In recent years, a growing number of office-going adults, from young tech workers to desk-bound professionals across sectors, are being diagnosed with fatty liver disease. This diagnosis, once primarily associated with older adults or those with a history of excessive alcohol consumption, is now increasingly common among younger individuals who do not drink alcohol. Many are being diagnosed with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This shift reflects significant changes in modern lifestyles, dietary habits, work environments, and levels of physical activity.
Why Fatty Liver is Becoming Common in Office Workers
Office culture frequently involves long hours spent sitting, high levels of stress, irregular meal schedules, and easy access to processed and sugary snacks. These habits can quietly contribute to fat buildup in liver cells, even in individuals who abstain from alcohol. This is the hallmark of MASLD, where fat accumulates in the liver due to metabolic issues rather than alcohol consumption.
Research confirms this trend. A study published in Scientific Reports found a high prevalence of MASLD among information technology employees in India, many of whom spend extended periods seated at a desk. The study revealed that over 84% of these workers exhibited increased liver fat, with many also presenting other risk factors such as obesity, high LDL cholesterol, and poor sleep.
This observation isn’t isolated. A study from Clinical and Molecular Hepatology indicates that globally, NAFLD affects roughly one in three adults, and the rate is steadily rising alongside increasingly sedentary lifestyles and rising obesity rates.
Dr. Varun Bansal, a senior consultant cardiac surgeon at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, emphasizes the seriousness of this trend, stating, “The increasing number of people being diagnosed with fatty liver disease among office-going individuals is a cause for grave concern. Fatty liver disease is inextricably associated with insulin resistance, obesity, hypertension, and high cholesterol levels, which are all significant risk factors for heart disease.”
How Work Culture Contributes to the Problem
Several characteristics of typical office jobs contribute to the development of MASLD:
- Prolonged Sitting: Spending 7-9 hours, or even more, seated daily slows metabolism, encourages fat storage, and increases insulin resistance, a key driver of fatty liver.
- Irregular Meals and Stress Eating: Tight deadlines and busy schedules often lead to skipped meals or reliance on unhealthy, processed foods. High sugar intake and refined carbohydrates contribute to fat accumulation in the liver.
- Sleep Disruption and Long Hours: Poor sleep patterns and extended work shifts disrupt metabolic balance and can increase the risk of insulin resistance.
office life often combines inactivity, poor diet, and stress – a combination that creates a perfect environment for metabolic disease. Dr. Bansal adds, “Prolonged periods of sedentary work, lack of physical activity, work-related stress, poor sleep habits, and the consumption of high amounts of refined carbohydrates and unhealthy fats are all factors that contribute to both fatty deposits in the liver and cardiovascular problems.”
What Experts are Saying
Doctors often refer to MASLD as a “silent disease” because individuals may feel relatively well while liver fat and metabolic damage accumulate. In its early stages, symptoms are often subtle – fatigue, a feeling of fullness after meals, and mild abdominal discomfort – and easily overlooked. This lack of noticeable symptoms can lead people to underestimate the severity of the condition until it progresses to inflammation, fibrosis, or more serious liver damage.
Global analyses highlight that while liver fat once primarily affected older adults, its prevalence has increased significantly worldwide, underscoring the importance of early screening and lifestyle interventions for working populations.
Dr. Bansal explains, “The fact is that most people are not aware of the fact that fatty liver disease is more than just a liver problem, as it is a significant risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. In fact, cardiovascular disease is still the leading cause of death among patients suffering from fatty liver disease.”
Why It’s Not Just About the Liver
A fatty liver serves as a marker of broader metabolic imbalance. When the liver stores excessive fat, the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar, cholesterol, and inflammation is compromised. These disruptions increase the risk of various other health problems, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and even chronic kidney disease.
MASLD is often linked to a cluster of health risks that underlie many chronic diseases prevalent today.
What Could Break the Pattern
- Break Up Sedentary Time: Incorporate brief walks, standing meetings, or simple desk stretches throughout the workday to improve metabolic function.
- Prioritize a Healthy Diet: Focus on meals rich in lean protein, whole grains, and vegetables, while limiting sugary drinks and processed foods to reduce liver fat accumulation.
- Regular Health Check-ups: Annual blood sugar tests, liver function tests, and waist measurements can help identify early changes in metabolism before significant damage occurs.
- Supportive Workplaces: Work environments that promote flexible hours, on-site fitness facilities, and stress management programs can help mitigate the unhealthy patterns that contribute to MASLD.
As Atul Gawande, a physician and author, once noted, “Better is possible. It does not take genius. It takes diligence.” Consistent, small changes to daily habits can slow or even reverse the early stages of fatty liver disease.
