Research

Hormonal

High body mass index (BMI) is a strong independent risk factor for the development and progression of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), primarily driven by compensatory glomerular hyperfiltration and increased intraglomerular pressure.

Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most effective ways to protect your kidneys. Excess body weight forces your kidneys to work harder (hyperfiltration), which can cause long-term damage. While weight loss is complex in advanced kidney disease, preventing obesity is a primary strategy for avoiding kidney failure.

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A high body mass index (BMI) is one of the strongest risk factors for new-onset Chronic Kidney Disease... In individuals affected by obesity, a 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.
Csaba P. Kövesdy et al. · Journal of Nephrology · 2017

Why this rating

Based on numerous population-based studies and meta-analyses cited, though the exact mechanisms are described as 'unclear' and observational.

Source

Obesity and kidney disease: hidden consequences of the epidemic

Csaba P. Kövesdy et al. · Journal of Nephrology · 2017

DOI 10.1007/s40620-017-0377-y

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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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