Cases of fatty liver, known as metabolic dysfunction-associated\nsteatotic liver disease (MASLD), are increasingly found in younger age\ngroups, especially those in their 30s. Widya Khairunnisa Sarkowi, a\nlecturer at the Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition (FKGiz) of IPB\nUniversity, explained that fatty liver occurs due to fat accumulation in\nthe liver linked to metabolic disorders. She noted the disease is often\ndubbed a \u2018silent killer\u2019 because it develops slowly without clear\nclinical signs and can lead to permanent liver damage.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany people feel healthy, but when examined via ultrasound or liver\nenzyme tests, fatty liver is already present. Individuals with obesity,\ndiabetes mellitus, or other metabolic disorders have a higher risk of\ndeveloping fatty liver,\u201d Widya said in a statement on Saturday\n(20\/6).<\/p>\n
Globally, the prevalence of fatty liver is estimated at around 30 per\ncent and continues to rise. Meanwhile, according to the 2023 Indonesian\nHealth Survey (SKI), the prevalence of obesity in adults increased from\n21.8 per cent in 2018 to 23.4 per cent in 2023. The prevalence of\ncentral obesity among the population aged over 15 years reached 36.8 per\ncent.<\/p>\n
According to Dr Widya, these high figures are a strong signal of\nincreasing metabolic problems in society, such as obesity, central\nobesity or abdominal fat, diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension,\nhigh-sugar and high-calorie diets, and lack of physical activity.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, she stated that fatty liver does not only affect\noverweight individuals. People with normal body weight can still develop\nfatty liver if they have abdominal obesity, insulin resistance,\ndiabetes, a high-sugar diet, or insufficient physical activity.<\/p>\n
Widya added that fatty liver is not merely a liver organ issue but a\nmarker of metabolic disorders throughout the body. She therefore urged\nthe public not to be easily tempted by instant solutions such as\nsupplements, detox products, or herbs claimed to \u201ccleanse the\nliver\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cMedication alone is insufficient without accompanying healthy\nlifestyle changes. Scientific evidence shows that lifestyle modification\nremains the most effective way to prevent and manage fatty liver,\u201d she\nsaid.<\/p>\n
As preventive measures, Widya conveyed five key educational messages\naligned with World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations. First,\nlose weight gradually. A weight reduction of around 5 to 10 per cent is\nknown to reduce liver fat, inflammation, and the risk of fibrosis.<\/p>\n
Second, reduce consumption of sugary drinks such as sweet tea,\nhigh-sugar milk coffee, bubble tea, soda, packaged beverages, and\nsyrups, which are sources of liquid sugar with high calories. \u201cWHO\nrecommends free sugar consumption of less than 10 per cent of total\ndaily energy needs, ideally below 5 per cent,\u201d she stated.<\/p>\n
Third, adopt a balanced diet with half the plate consisting of\nvegetables and fruit, a quarter protein, and a quarter carbohydrates.\nThe public is also advised to limit ultra-processed foods, fried foods,\nsweet foods, and high-calorie snacks.<\/p>\n
Fourth, engage in regular physical activity. WHO recommends\nmoderate-intensity physical activity for 150 to 300 minutes per week, or\nabout 30 minutes per day five times a week. Weight training twice a week\nis also recommended to increase muscle mass and insulin sensitivity.<\/p>\n
Fifth, undergo periodic risk factor checks, including waist\ncircumference measurement, body mass index (BMI), blood sugar levels,\nlipid profile, blood pressure, and liver function tests and abdominal\nultrasound if necessary.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, Widya emphasised that fatty liver prevention should\nideally begin in childhood. The North American Society for Pediatric\nGastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) recommends\nscreening for fatty liver in obese children starting at age 9 to 11,\nespecially if accompanied by additional risk factors such as insulin\nresistance, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, or a family history of fatty\nliver.<\/p>\n
\u201cChildren need to be accustomed to consuming healthy foods,\nincreasing outdoor activities, reducing screen time, getting adequate\nsleep, and limiting consumption of sugary drinks and ultra-processed\nfoods,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
For adolescents, education needs to be linked to modern lifestyles,\nsuch as consumption of trendy drinks, fast food, late-night habits, lack\nof movement, and stress, which can increase the risk of obesity and\nmetabolic disorders.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, for young adults, the public is advised to start routinely\nmonitoring body weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, blood\nsugar, and lipid levels, especially if there is a family history of\ndiabetes, obesity, or heart disease. For those over 40, early detection\nneeds to be pursued more actively as the risk of various metabolic\ndiseases increases.<\/p>\n
Widya also reminded the public not to normalise a diagnosis of mild\nfatty liver. According to her, the condition can progress to liver\ninflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer if not properly\nmanaged. She stressed the importance of cross-sector collaboration.<\/p>\n
\u201cPreventing fatty liver requires collaboration from all parties\nbecause it will be difficult for the public to adopt a healthy lifestyle\nif high-sugar and high-fat foods are more accessible, cheaper, and more\nheavily promoted than healthy options,\u201d she concluded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/fatty-liver-disease-increasingly-affects-young-adults-lifestyle-changes-crucial-1781923813", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }