The notion that extra weight in children is merely 'baby fat' is a dangerous misconception, as medical professionals globally, and specifically in India, warn that it can lead to severe liver damage. The Times of India article accurately highlights that excess weight is increasingly causing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), in children. This condition, where fat accumulates in the liver, has become the most common chronic liver disease in children worldwide. In India, the situation is particularly concerning. A study revealed that 62% of overweight and obese Indian children suffer from NAFLD. Another recent study by AIIMS, New Delhi, found that approximately one in three (35%) Indian children are affected by MASLD, exceeding the global average. The article quotes Dr. Tushar Madke, a Consultant in Transplant Hepatology, who emphasizes that fatty liver disease in children is closely linked to other metabolic conditions like insulin resistance, increasing susceptibility to type 2 diabetes, abnormal cholesterol levels (dyslipidemia), and hypertension. Doctors often encounter parents who believe their children eat healthily, yet modern lifestyles—characterized by larger portion sizes, sugary drinks, processed snacks, excessive screen time, and reduced outdoor play—contribute to slow weight gain that can go unnoticed. MASLD often presents without symptoms, making early detection difficult, with diagnoses often made incidentally during routine blood tests or ultrasounds for other reasons. If left unaddressed, MASLD can advance from simple fat accumulation to inflammation (NASH), fibrosis (scarring), and potentially cirrhosis or liver cancer in adulthood. The medical community strongly corroborates these findings, stressing the urgent need for awareness and lifestyle interventions, including healthy diets and increased physical activity, to prevent and reverse this growing pediatric health crisis.