Turkish Journal of Nephrology
Review

Obesity and Kidney Disease: Hidden Consequences of the Epidemic

1.

University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Memphis, TN, United States

2.

Memphis VA Medical Center, Nephrology Section, Memphis, TN, United States

3.

University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Philadelphia, PA, United States

4.

CNR - IFC Clinical Epidemiology and Pathophysiology of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, Reggio Calabria, Italy

Turkish J Nephrol 2017; 26: 1-10
DOI: 10.5262/tndt.2017.1001.01
Read: 1177 Downloads: 656 Published: 31 January 2019

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 in 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.

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EISSN 2667-4440