Research

Hormonal

Obesity increases the risk of kidney stones (nephrolithiasis) through mechanisms including lower urine pH, increased urinary oxalate, uric acid, and sodium excretion, as well as insulin resistance.

Obesity increases your risk of kidney stones by changing your urine chemistry. To protect your kidneys, stay hydrated, limit excessive protein and sodium intake, and manage your weight through balanced nutrition.

GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
Obesity is associated with a number of risk factors contributing to the higher incidence and prevalence of nephrolithiasis. Higher body weight is associated with lower urine pH [48] and increased urinary oxalate [49], uric acid, sodium and phosphate excretion [50]... The insulin resistance characteristic of obesity may also predispose to nephrolithiasis [51]...
Csaba P. Kövesdy et al. · Journal of Nephrology · 2017

Why this rating

Supported by multiple population-based studies and mechanistic explanations.

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

narrative_reviewCited 79×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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