With the rising incidence of consumerism, there has been an unprecedented increase in the consumption of junk foods, especially by kids. Escaping the watchful eye of parents as more and more people are entering the workforce every day, kids are at an increased risk of poor health due to excessive junk food intake. This sentiment has been recently corroborated by a study conducted across schools in Hyderabad, that revealed that children from elite schools exhibit higher rates of obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in comparison to students attending government schools.
Cases Of Liver Disease In Children From Elite Schools
AIG Hospitals recently conducted a study assessing 1,100 children in schools across Hyderabad. The findings indicated that 50 to 60% of the children had NAFLD, even in kids as young as eight years old. NAFLD is caused when there is an excessive accumulation of fat in the liver and can cause inflammation, the worst-case scenario of which is liver cancer.
Researchers revealed that the rising cases of liver disease in young kids have been on the rise in India, and junk food is to blame. The study informed that soda, chocolates, and processed food like noodles were found to be a major part of the diet of kids from elite schools. As per a study published in the International Journal of Preventive Medicine, ‘eating fast food and drinking soft drinks were associated with increasing body weight, which is expected to have adverse effects on liver functions in the long term.’
The study by AIG Hospitals is further supported by recent research done at AIIMS, New Delhi which elucidated a 30% prevalence of liver diseases in the general population, including children. Isolating junk food and a materialistically comfortable lifestyle as the main cause, the study revealed a comparatively lower occurrence of NAFLD among children in government schools.
Also Read: How To Stop Sugar And Junk Food Cravings?
The AIIMS study showed that a large number of the affected children were overweight, did not care much about physical activities, and exhibited poor academic performance.
How To Deal With Liver Disease In Kids
After curbing your child’s junk food intake, the first step towards combating NAFLD is to make yourself thoroughly aware of every aspect of this disease and its mode of treatment.
Symptoms of NAFLD
NAFLD often progresses silently, and many children with the condition may not experience any noticeable symptoms. However, as the disease advances, the following signs are apparent:
- Fatigue: Unexplained tiredness or weakness.
- Pain or Discomfort: In the upper right abdomen, some individuals may experience mild to moderate discomfort.
- Weight Loss: Paradoxically, some children with NAFLD may experience unexplained weight loss.
- Enlarged Liver: In advanced stages, the liver may become enlarged and can sometimes be felt below the ribcage on the right side.
- Jaundice: In rare cases, jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and eyes, can occur, indicating more severe liver damage.
- Confusion or Difficulty Concentrating: Advanced NAFLD can lead to cognitive issues due to the liver’s reduced ability to remove toxins from the blood.
Treatment of NAFLD
The primary goals of NAFLD treatment are to manage symptoms, reduce liver inflammation, and prevent disease progression. Since the liver is a self-healing organ, and no medications can be given to repair liver damage, but only to alleviate symptoms, lifestyle changes are the biggest saving grace:
Also Read: Ultimate Diet For Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
- Help your child adopt a balanced, low-fat, and low-sugar diet.
- Make sure your child develops a penchant for exercising on a regular basis.
- Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is often a key component of managing NAFLD. Even a modest weight loss of 5-10% can lead to improvements in liver function.
- Take your child for routine follow-up appointments and liver function tests to track their liver health.
NAFLD is often manageable with the right approach and can significantly improve your child’s liver health and overall well-being. The study by AIF Hospitals and AIIMS, New Delhi hints at a very real possibility of an entire generation growing up with devastating liver diseases, which could potentially lead to liver cancer. Hence, limiting your child’s junk food should be the top priority for you as a parent. Early detection through routine medical check-ups and tests is crucial to make sure NAFLD does not progress to more severe conditions. Always consult with a healthcare professional for personalised guidance and treatment options tailored to your specific situation.
اكتشاف المزيد من ينبوع المعرفة
اشترك للحصول على أحدث التدوينات المرسلة إلى بريدك الإلكتروني.