Consumption of excessive junk food leads to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in kids

With a fast-paced lifestyle and excessive food options around us, it’s quite difficult for us to choose a strict healthy lifestyle.  According to experts, children who consume excessive junk food are prone to Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.
According to the study of AIG hospital across five schools revealed that approximately 9 to 30 per cent of school children are suffering from Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) in India.
Dr Mithun, of the AIG Hospital said, “Non – Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease is a silent disease. It doesn’t show any symptoms. The child may look fat or overweight. Unless the child is screened for fatty liver, one cannot tell they are suffering from this disease. Nowadays, the current generations are consuming more junk food thereby suffering various health diseases, including NAFLD, especially in children. The study also revealed that the majority of children studying in urban schools are suffering from this disease than those from rural schools due to their food habits or routines. Moreover, the children are stuck to their books or electronic devices for longer periods and are deprived of physical activity leading to this disease. This disease may turn fatal when the kid reaches around 30 to 35 years. However, there is no treatment for this disease but one can prevent this is to exercising, eating and staying healthy.”
Dr Swamy Sandeep said, “Children mostly prefer junk food or street food which is made with palm oil or cotton seed oil which are harmful to their health, as palm oil and cottonseed oil have greater amounts of saturated fatty acids compared to sunflower oil. The percentage of saturated fatty acids in palm oil or cotton seed oil is about 60 per cent while sunflower oil has only nine to 10 per cent of saturated fatty acids. Both palm oil and cottonseed oil are cheaper compared to other healthy cooking oils like sunflower oil, Rice Bran oil, and Olive oil. With the consumption of junk food, excess fat is stored in the abdomen, liver and in blood vessels, causing various diseases, especially NAFLD. To avoid this, children should engage in physical activity for 30 -45 mins, consume healthy foods cooked in sunflower oil or rice bran oil, etc.”