Fatty Liver in Children: Causes, Treatment, And Prevention

 

Unhealthy lifestyles, consumption of junk food and lack of exercise is leading to the issue of fatty liver disease among many young adults in India. But particularly shocking is its rising prevelance among children.

Fatty liver disease is usually associated with ageing and obesity. However, now it is being observed among children as well owing to excessive consumption of fast food. Continuous fast food intake leads to accumulation of more than 5% fat in the liver, resulting in fatty liver disease. There is also increasing cases of diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure among children.

Experts suggest that these health issues often begin during pregnancy when there is a significant challenge to maintain the health of the mother and that of the baby. A mother’s diet during this period has a profound impact on her child’s health.

Preeti Pandey, Senior Dietician at Apollomedics Super Specialty Hospital, emphasizes that pregnant women must watch what they eat. “This has a bad effect on the health of the child growing in the womb. In the future, this can also become a major cause of fatty liver in children. In such a situation, the mother should pay a lot of attention to her and the baby’s diet," she says.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

Experts indicate that fatty liver is commonly associated with alcohol use, yet for non-drinkers, it’s termed ‘Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease’ (NAFLD). Fat accumulation in the liver can result from children’s consumption of junk food, excessive sweets, and packaged foods that often contain added sugars. Sugar is one of the primary culprits that converts to fat within the liver. In overweight children and adults, this fat is not properly metabolized due to conditions such as insulin resistance.

Why is NAFLD more common in children?

Dietician Preeti Pandey notes that 40 percent of children in the country are affected by fatty liver. “The primary reasons for this are poor dietary choices, lack of exercise, consumption of junk food, sugary drinks, and excessive salt. Additionally, it’s important to limit salt intake for children under one year and sugar intake for those under two years. Often, parents are unaware of fatty liver until their child presents with specific complaints, as the initial signs of the condition are not obvious."

Ideal children’s diet

Experts recommend providing children with green vegetables, fruits, whole grains, a diet rich in protein, and ample water. Fried foods, fast food, sugary drinks, and junk food should be avoided.

There is also the need to encourage children to engage in at least one hour of physical activity each day, whether that involves playing, running, or riding a bicycle. It’s also essential to limit their screen time.

Another crucial aspect is to ensure regular health checkups for children, including liver assessments. If any issues arise, it is important to seek medical advice promptly.