Obesity is associated with the development of many other pathologies, but when overweight begins in the first years of life and is not adequately treated, the health consequences can be especially negative in the long term. Now, a new study led by researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) and Sheba Tel HaShomer Medical Center has found that obesity in adolescence significantly increases the risk of developing early chronic kidney disease (CKD) in young adulthood. .
The research results have been published in JAMA Pediatrics and highlight the importance of reducing obesity rates in adolescents to help reduce the risk of kidney disease in adolescents with a high body mass index (BMI), as While severely obese patients appear to be at higher risk, the researchers also found cause for concern for apparently healthy people with a high-normal BMI less than 30.
Researchers explained that although there has been an increase in obesity rates in adolescents, there was a lack of data indicating a link with the onset of early chronic kidney disease. “These findings are a harbinger of an increasing and potentially preventable likelihood of developing chronic kidney disease and subsequent cardiovascular disease,” they noted.
Reduce rates of overweight to prevent kidney disease
The study, conducted by researchers from leading health institutions in Israel and the United States, including Johns Hopkins and Harvard University, analyzed data from 593,660 Israeli adolescents between the ages of 16 and 20, born after January 1, 1975, who underwent medical evaluations for mandatory military service. With a mean follow-up of 13.4 years, 1,963 adolescents (0.3%) in total developed early chronic kidney disease:
- For men, the risk of developing CKD increased more with severe obesity (hazard ratio 9.4). It was also detected in mild obesity (6.7) and in those who were overweight (4.0) or had a high normal BMI in adolescence (1.8).
- Among women, the highest risk was with severe obesity (hazard ratio 4.3). It was also associated with those who were mildly obese (2.7), overweight (2.3), or had a high normal BMI (1.4).
The findings of this cohort study underscore the importance of decreasing obesity rates in adolescents and controlling risk factors associated with the development of chronic kidney disease.
