Liver Function Abnormalities Surge 8.9% Among India Inc Employees After Year-End Festivals; Pediatric cases jump

The

year-end has taken a toll on liver health among India Inc. employees, with nearly a 9 per cent spike in abnormalities reported, according to a leading health survey. The report, India Inc. Wellness Pulse 2025: The Festive Impact, released by Ekincare, highlights how the festive season caused short-term disruptions in metabolic, lifestyle, and mental health patterns.

Higher sugar intake, lower physical activity

The report talks about how most corporate employees experienced short-term fluctuations driven by festive eating patterns, disrupted sleep schedules, and seasonal fatigue. All of this led to:

• Rise in blood sugar abnormalities by 5 per cent
• Rise in liver function abnormalities by 8.9 per cent
• A steep drop of nearly 20 per cent in step counts, which shows a clear decline in physical activity.

According to the report, women showed higher metabolic sensitivity, with a 7 per cent rise in blood sugar fluctuations, while the age group of 31 to 40 years recorded the strongest diet-related impact. States like Haryana, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Telangana showed the sharpest rise in post-festival metabolic risk markers.

Strong pushback from employees

Despite these disruptions, the report points to a strong return to healthier behaviours as employees resumed regular routines. Preventive health check bookings rose 16 per cent in the weeks following the festive period, with increased demand for lipid profiles, liver function tests, HbA1c panels, and thyroid screenings. “The strong rise in preventive screenings and digital consultations aligns with the broader national push toward preventive healthcare, which is now becoming a priority for both the workforce and policymakers,” said Kiran Kalakuntla, CEO and co-founder of Ekincare. The report has mentioned that the IT sector recorded the fastest recovery, reflecting stronger health awareness and quicker responses to early metabolic and lifestyle risk indicators.Also read: Harvard Expert Warns of 5 Subtle Signs of Fatty Liver Disease You Might Overlook

Liver diseases are a national worry

According to experts, the rise in cases of fatty liver disease across all age groups is a major worry, as the numbers are only increasing. Doctors say there has been a steep increase in pediatric cases. Studies say fatty liver disease is a suspected condition in nearly a third of obese children and up to three-quarters of severely overweight or obese kids. The estimated cases of fatty liver in the Indian population are far higher, as it is approximated to affect nearly half of overweight and obese children. “It has also been noted to occur primarily in the age group of 10-13 years, and it is twice as common in boys as in girls. The BMI in the Indian children, on the other hand, is much lower in comparison to that of Western kids,” said Dr. Geeta Billa, Director of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital.

Lifestyle-related risk factors

According to Dr Billa, excessive body mass is a leading predictor, especially if the BMI is equal to or above the 95th percentile for age. High consumption of fructose, especially from sugary drinks, has been identified as a significant risk factor for increased disease odds. Other risk factors include excess screen time, physical inactivity, and a sedentary lifestyle. “On a different note, the 'thin-fat' phenotype in India, which describes a child as slender but having excessive body fat, and lifestyle factors resulting in increased consumption of processed and high-calorie foods are additional risks to this category,” she added.

The way ahead

Currently, lifestyle change is the cornerstone of both prevention and management. Achieving modest weight loss, which is 5 to 10 per cent of initial body weight, has resulted in significant reductions in liver fat, inflammation, and abnormal liver enzyme activity. “This is owing to following a well-balanced diet that includes increased consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins, and unsaturated fats but avoids sugary foods, processed carbs, and sweetened fluids. Also very helpful is increased physical activity lasting a minimum of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activities on a daily basis,” said Dr Tushar Madake, Consultant in the Department of Transplant Hepatology at Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune. This has also been shown to increase the sensitivity of tissues to insulin and reduce liver disease without necessarily reducing body weight. An important point in all these recommendations is that these are most effective if done not merely on the child but on the whole family.