Doctor Explains Why More People In Their 20s And 30s Are Being Diagnosed With Fatty Liver

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On the occasion of Global Fatty Liver Day 2026, Air Cmde (Dr) Bhaskar Nandi, the director and head of gastroenterology, hepatology and endoscopy department at Sarvodaya Hospital, Faridabad, shared with HT Lifestyle the reason for this shift, and what can be done about it.

According to Dr Nandi, more often than not, people in their 20s and 30s are now getting diagnosed with fatty liver. “The concern is even greater because fatty liver is now seen in nearly every third Indian, and in many cases, it appears before Type 2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders,” he noted.

Dr Nandi believes that the rising risk of fatty liver is reflective of how the modern lifestyle affects the longterm health of individuals.

“This modern lifestyle of desk-bound routines, minimal movement, irregular eating habits, processed food, stress, and erratic sleep has become a part and parcel of many people’s daily lives. Over time, these behaviours can contribute to altered metabolic functioning and can make it easier for fat to accumulate in the liver,” he stated.

According to the doctor, the greater cause of concern is that the condition often develops slowly, with no clear symptoms in the early stages. Therefore, many young adults do not realise that there is something wrong with their health until the situation turns much worse.

“The good news is that fatty liver can often be prevented with a few steady changes in daily routine,” stated Dr Nandi. The lifestyle changes that he suggested are listed as follows.

Adding light physical movements even in simple ways like walking, stretching, or taking short breaks from sitting, can help the body use energy better and keep fat from building up.

“Fatty liver in the 20s and 30s is no longer unusual, and that is exactly why it deserves attention. It is being shaped by everyday habits, not sudden illness, which makes it easy to ignore but also possible to prevent. The earlier young adults pay attention to movement, food, sleep, and routine check-ups, the better their chances of protecting the liver before the problem grows,” highlighted the doctor.

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

Debapriya Bhattacharya is a Content Producer at Hindustan Times. He started his career in 2022, working in newsrooms in beats like education, US news, trending stories, and entertainment. In his new role in the lifestyle desk, he seeks to deliver a balanced blend of research-driven reporting and creative storytelling from health and recipes to art and culture. Science, philosophy, food and pop culture are what pump his veins and help bring heart to his stories. Debapriya tries to see out subjects that will allow him and readers to explore new frontiers and improve the quality of life for all. The explorations can be both external and internal, as thoughts seek to be as chaotic as the greater universe. As a citizen of the world, Debapriya has been fascinated by the lives of people across the globe throughout time. His curiosity leads him to explore new linguistic and cultural landscapes to broaden his horizons and deepen his understanding of global narratives. Beyond the newsroom, Debapriya loves to participate in debate and theatre, spaces that he considers to be holy grounds for nuance and self-expression. A graduate from Ashutosh College, University of Calcutta, Debapriya completed his Master's degree from the same university in 2022. An ambiverted bibliophile, he loves his solitude as much as he adores stimulating conversations. And despite his reverence for tech, libraries continue to be his favourite place for research.Read More