57% of Nepali women show fatty liver risk amid rising obesity concerns

KATHMANDU: Recent hospital screenings reveal that 57% of Nepali women have accumulated fat in their liver, indicating potential future health risks.

While public discussions in Nepal often focus on heart disease, diabetes, kidney issues, and cancer, awareness about liver health remains limited.

Experts warn that an unhealthy liver can disrupt the body’s ability to remove toxins, triggering multiple health problems.

The liver, the body’s largest internal organ, functions as a vital “detox factory.” Despite its importance, it is often neglected.

Government data shows that the average lifespan of Nepali women is 72 years—a public health achievement—but at the same time, health challenges like obesity are increasing.

About 35% of Nepali women are currently overweight, with prevalence higher among women in urban areas: 53% in wealthy households versus 20% in low-income families. Even rural women, traditionally engaged in labor-intensive work, are increasingly affected due to high-calorie diets.

Urban women, engaged in business, government and NGO jobs, healthcare, teaching, and household work, significantly contribute to Nepal’s economic growth.

However, busy lifestyles combined with rising obesity levels pose long-term health risks, including liver-related problems.

Dr. S.K. Sarin, a renowned liver specialist from India, highlights that fatty liver is linked not only to obesity but also to diet, sedentary lifestyle, and certain medications.

He notes that liver health, like heart health, is a critical indicator of overall well-being.

According to Dr. Sarin, waist measurements exceeding 35 cm in women and 38 cm in men correlate with a higher likelihood of liver issues.

Alcohol is a known cause of fatty liver, but non-drinkers are also at risk due to diets high in processed, oily, and sugary foods.

Research shows a strong connection between liver health and conditions like diabetes.

Studies in China, Europe, and the U.S. have linked excessive processed food and sugar consumption to mental health issues, including depression.

Exercise alone is insufficient without a healthy diet, as confirmed by research and real-life examples of individuals consuming high-sugar energy drinks despite regular physical activity.

Obesity is also affecting younger women. Government statistics indicate that 6% of Nepali adolescent girls are severely overweight, which may later impact fertility and pregnancy.

One case involved a 30-year-old woman from Kathmandu, whose weight exceeded healthy limits and whose liver showed fatty deposits.

After following medical advice—cutting sugary, fatty, and processed foods, avoiding soft drinks, practicing yoga, and losing 20 kilograms—her liver health improved, menstrual cycles normalized, ovarian cysts reduced, and she successfully conceived naturally.

This case emphasizes that fatty liver due to obesity can lead to broader metabolic and reproductive health issues.

Experts warn that childhood and adolescent consumption of processed foods and sugary drinks can have long-term effects on liver and heart health, as well as mental well-being.

Early awareness, proper diet, and regular health check-ups are crucial to prevent serious health consequences.