Health & Disease Trends

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease

(MAFLD) Crisis Among IT Employees:

A Study in Hyderabad:

• 84% had fatty liver,
• 71% were obese.

Indicates rising NCDs among India’s economically productive population.

NCDs (Non-Communicable Diseases):

• Also known as chronic diseases, are not transmissible from one person to another.
• Caused by a combination of factors, including genetics, lifestyle choices, and environmental factors.
• NCDs are a major global health concern, causing a significant burden on individuals, families, and healthcare systems.
• WHO (2019): NCDs caused 74% of global deaths (vs 61%
• in 2000).
• High burden in low- and middle-income countries,
• including India.
• India’s NCD rise risks missing SDG 2030 goals (reduce
• premature mortality from NCDs).

Double Burden of Malnutrition:

• India suffers from both undernutrition and overnutrition.
• NFHS-5: Obesity rises from 7% to 32% (men: age 15–49).
• Wealth-wise: Overweight/obesity rises from 10% (lowest quintile) to 37% (highest).
• Projected Obesity Rise:
• 450 million obese/overweight Indians by 2050 (180
• million in 2021).
• Childhood obesity to rise by 121% in 3 decades (already
• surged 244%).
• Urbanization & Lifestyle Impact• IT sector employees face health risks due to:
• Chronic stress, poor sleep, sedentary lifestyles, and
• unhealthy snacks at work.
• Nightlife & cloud kitchens increasing availability of nutrient-poor foods.
• Urban-rural divide:

Overweight/obesity:

• Urban men: 46.1%, Urban women: 43.1%
• Rural men: 35.4%, Rural women: 31.6%

Policy Interventions & Programmes

Tamil Nadu’s MTM (Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam):

• Workplace-based NCD screening: 3.79 lakh employees (2024).
• Initiatives like 8-km walk, Eat Right Challenge for behaviour change.

Eat Right India (FSSAI):

• Promotes safe, healthy, sustainable food.
• Campaigns: “Aaj Se Thoda Kam” to reduce fat, sugar, salt intake.
• Partnership with Indian Council of Medical Research and the
• National Institute of Nutrition for HFSS (High Fat, Salt, Sugar) food labeling.
• Proposal for Health Star Rating (HSR) on packaged foods (debated by experts).
• Judicial Support: Supreme Court asked FSSAI expert committee for scientific input on food labelling.

Global Best Practices

Saudi Arabia’s Model (Vision 2030):

• 50% tax on sugary drinks, 100% on energy drinks.
• Mandatory calorie labelling in restaurants.
• Sodium limits in processed foods; trans fats eliminated.
• Integrated national strategy for NCD prevention.

Recommendations & Way Forward India must:

• Enforce taxes on high-sugar, high-salt foods.
• Go beyond awareness — regulate what is manufactured, marketed, and sold.
• Strengthen intersectoral policy enforcement and food safety standards.