A study by the University of Hyderabad and AIG revealed that 84 percent of IT professionals in India have Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD), a condition that can lead to irreversible liver damage, cirrhosis, and cancer
Published Feb 28, 2025 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Feb 28, 2025 | 9:26 AM
Fatty liver is the fat deposition in the normal liver. (Wikimedia Commons)
Synopsis: A University of Hyderabad study found 84 percent of IT professionals have Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD), a condition leading to liver damage, cirrhosis, and cancer. Now, doctors in Bengaluru, the tech hub of India, are launching a similar study to assess the severity of MAFLD among IT workers, aiming to develop interventions before the crisis worsens.
The glare of computer screens, the unrelenting deadlines, the stress of high pressure projects, weekend culture, binge drinking, sleepless nights–while these define the lives of several of IT professionals in India, what often goes unnoticed is the silent damage brewing inside their bodies. A concerning study conducted by the University of Hyderabad in collaboration with the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology (AIG), found that a staggering 84 percent of IT employees have Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.–a condition that can progress into irreversible liver damage, cirrhosis, and even cancer.
Now, Bengaluru’s doctors, considering that the city is the heart of India’s tech industry, have decided to launch a similar study to assess the severity of fatty liver disease among the city’s IT professionals, aiming to develop targeted interventions before the crisis worsens.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with South First, Dr Sonal Asthana, Lead Consultant of HPB & Liver Transplant Surgery, presently working at Aster Group of Hospitals said, “the Hyderabad study’s findings are alarming. We had also planned a similar study as we suspect the situation in Bengaluru could be just as bad, if not worse. The survey is going to be launched soon to know the status of MAFLD in Bengaluru IT crowd.”
The study led by Prof Kalyankar Mahadev, Prof CT Anitha, and research scholars Bharam Bhargava and Nanditha Pramod in collaboration with senior hepatologist Dr P N Rao and his team at AIG Hospital, paints a grim picture of the IT workforce’s health.
The study funded by the Institution of Eminence (IoE) program of the Ministry of Education, Government of India, and the research accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal – Scientific Reports by Nature publishers found that:
84 percent of IT employees already have MAFLD, 71 percent are clinically obese and 34 percent have metabolic syndrome–a cluster of conditions that elevate the risk of fatty liver, diabetes, obesity, and hypertension.
study by researchers from University of Hyderabad
“Fatty liver disease is a ticking time bomb among IT employees. Many professionals don’t realise they have it until serious complications arise,” said Dr Sonal Asthana. “Sitting for long hours, high stress, poor sleep, and unhealthy diets are fueling this epidemic. If left unchecked, this will lead to a rise in cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even liver transplants in the coming decade,” he said.
The Information Technology (IT) sector is one of the primary drivers of the Indian economy, employing over 5.4 million people. However, the nature of IT jobs—marked by prolonged sitting, work-related stress, erratic sleep patterns, and unhealthy dietary habits—has led to a rising health crisis among employees.
Fatty liver disease occurs when excess fat—more than 5 percent of the liver’s weight—accumulates due to metabolic and lifestyle factors. If left unchecked, this condition can progress to severe liver complications, including cirrhosis, liver failure, and even cancer, requiring liver transplantation in extreme cases.
Key contributing factors:
Sedentary lifestyle: Prolonged sitting for long hours reduces metabolism and fat breakdown.
Work stress: High-pressure environments contribute to hormonal imbalances that affect liver health.
Unhealthy diet: Frequent consumption of high-calorie meals and sugar-sweetened beverages accelerates fat accumulation in the liver.
Irregular sleep patterns: Night shifts and disrupted sleep cycles interfere with metabolism and liver function.
Lack of physical activity: Minimal movement throughout the workday contributes to weight gain and metabolic disorders.
Bengaluru has over 1.5 million IT professionals, many of whom share a high risk lifestyle, explains Dr Sonal Asthana. He says, this crowd has a lifestyle that is highest risk factor for fatty liver disease. Their work which involves majorly sitting in front of the computers for more than 8 plus hours per day, less than six hours of sleep per night, consuming two plus sugary drinks per week which increases fatty liver risk by 45 percent atleast. Waist circumference of over 90 cm in men or 80 cm in women, binge drinking of alcohol during the weekend and parties, the stress level to meet competencies, all of these, Dr Asthana explains makes them a high risk category profession for developing metabolic disease. This can increase the incidence of fatty liver.
Questionnaire used for the study on Fatty LIver in IT employees by researchers from University of Hyderabad
“Most employees don’t realise the risk until they experience extreme fatigue, abnormal liver function test results etc by which time the damage may be irreversible. It is important to know what percentage of Bengaluru’s IT crowd already has fatty liver disease and makes it important for regular scans and also devise strategies to prevent this,” Dr Asthana added that it is the reason why Aster group of hospitals will soon be conducting this study in Bengaluru’s IT crowd.
Doctors warn that fatty liver disease develops silently, progressing through four dangerous stages:
Liver inflammation
Fibrosis
Cirrhosis
Liver Cancer
The Aster Hospital’s research team has devised a questionnaire to screen employees on the risk factors after which they will be suggested Liver Function Tests and ultrasounds. The risk factors such as diet, sleep deprivation, and work stress will be logged. Also, workplace interventions will be developed using the results for IT companies to reduce health risks.
Yes. It can be reversed if caught early and acted upon, says Dr Asthana. He says, once a liver check up is done and fatty liver detected, the person will have to first cut down on sugar and refined carbs.
It is absolutely important to ensure he/she gets 10,000 steps a day along with some muscle building exercises. Dr Asthana says, the IT employees must take breaks every hour, move around, do meetings standing and also prioritise on eating only what our ancestors ate.
Prioritise protein and fibre, which can help in burning excess liver fat. Also, poor sleep adds to metabolic health diseases and hence they must ensure they get good amount of sleep and must definitely stop alcohol. The survey questionnaire is said to be ready in the next few days, Dr Asthana added.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
