Obesity and Kidney Disease: Hidden Consequences of the Epidemic

Csaba P. Kovesdy, Susan Furth, Carmine Zoccali
2017 Turkish Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation  
Obesity has become a worldwide epidemic, and its prevalence has been projected to grow by 40% in the next decade. This increasing prevalence has implications for the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and also for Chronic Kidney Disease. A high body mass index is one of the strongest risk factors for new-onset Chronic Kidney Disease. In individuals affected by obesity, compensatory hyperfiltration occurs to meet the heightened metabolic demands of the increased body weight. The increase
more » ... intraglomerular pressure can damage the kidneys and raise the risk of developing Chronic Kidney Disease in the long-term. The incidence of obesity-related glomerulopathy has increased tenfold in recent years. Obesity has also been shown to be a risk factor for nephrolithiasis, and for a number of malignancies including kidney cancer. This year the World Kidney Day promotes education on the harmful consequences of obesity and its association with kidney disease, advocating a healthy lifestyle and health policy measures that make preventive behaviors an affordable option.
doi:10.5262/tndt.2017.1001.01 fatcat:4prvjqzuqfgo7glxh4x5lq2h6y