Srinagar, Apr 18 (KNO): A worrying rise in fatty liver disease cases across Jammu and Kashmir has been linked to drastic lifestyle changes, unhealthy eating habits, and declining physical activity among residents.
Doctors warned that nearly one in every three individuals in the Valley is now affected—a condition once considered relatively uncommon but now emerging as a widespread health concern cutting across age groups.
Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Prof Dr Iqbal Saleem, Head of the Department of Surgery at GMC Srinagar, described the liver as the body's largest and most vital organ, responsible for carrying out most metabolic processes essential for survival. "However, as a society, we have drifted away from simple foods and active lifestyles. The increasing dependence on processed and ultra-processed foods, along with high-sugar drinks, is one of the main reasons behind the rising trend of fatty liver in our Valley," he said.
He further said that the shift from physically demanding routines to sedentary lifestyles has compounded the problem. "We were once a hardy people who worked diligently. Today, we have become armchair-bound, giving up physical work. People must stay away from alcohol and other bad habits and return to healthier habits," he added.
Doctors said that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its more severe form, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), are witnessing a rapid increase, particularly among younger populations.
Dr Ubaid Ahmad, a gastroenterologist, explained that fatty liver is closely associated with modern dietary patterns and inactivity. "High-calorie processed foods combined with lack of exercise contribute to obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, all of which significantly increase the risk of fatty liver," he said.
He warned that untreated fatty liver can progress to serious complications, including liver fibrosis, chronic liver disease (CLD), and even liver cancer. "We are now seeing liver cancer cases rise, in some instances overtaking hepatitis as a leading cause of liver-related deaths," he noted.
Doctors highlighted a major dietary transition in Kashmir, where traditional home-cooked meals are increasingly being replaced by fast food and ready-to-eat options. "Foods rich in fat, salt, and sugar have become a regular part of daily diets, replacing balanced, home-cooked meals that once ensured proper nutrition," they said, adding that children and teenagers are now the biggest consumers of unhealthy foods.
"Fast food is no longer limited to busy adults. Young people are consuming pizzas, burgers, chips, sugary drinks, and frozen meals regularly. This is deeply concerning," they added.
According to doctors, fatty liver is now being diagnosed in individuals as young as their early twenties. "Among obese and diabetic patients, the prevalence ranges between 60 and 70 per cent, making them especially vulnerable," they said.
Experts caution that fatty liver often remains silent in its early stages, showing no obvious symptoms until significant damage has occurred, making awareness, early detection, and lifestyle intervention crucial.
To counter the growing crisis, doctors are urging people to adopt healthier lifestyles by returning to balanced diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, while limiting processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats. Regular physical activity, weight management, and control of blood sugar and cholesterol levels are also essential.
"People need to prioritise their liver health. Small changes in diet and daily routine can make a big difference," doctors said, warning that ignoring the issue could lead to a far more serious health crisis in the years ahead—(KNO)