Obesity Causes Increased Risk of Kidney Stones

Obesity is commonly defined as body mass index (BMI) of 30.0kg/m2 or higher. BMI is a ratio determined by weight and height. A new study published in the Journal of Urology shows that obesity nearly doubles the risk of developing kidney stones.

It was also shown by the research that the degree of obesity doesn't appear to increase or decrease the risk one way or the other.

Scientists, led by Brian R. Matlaga, assistant professor of urology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine said ," The common thinking was that as weight rises, kidney stone risk rises as well, but our study refutes that."

He further added," "Whether someone is mildly obese or morbidly obese, the risk of getting kidney stones is the same."

Matlaga's team analyzed 2002-2006 records for more than 95,000 people included in a national private insurance database.

The researchers identified 3,257 people with kidney stones. Men were twice as likely as women to have kidney stones, while the risk of stones increased with age.

They used the body mass index (BMI) - a standard measure used to gauge how fat or thin a person is - to classify patients' weight.

Among people classified as either normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9) or overweight (BMI 25-29.9) but not obese, about one in 40 had been diagnosed with kidney stones, compared to about one in 20 of those classified as obese (BMI above 30). But there was no significant difference in risk among obese individuals, no matter how heavy they were.

These studies provide a closer look at obesity and its impact on health. Although none of the studies conclude a definite cause-effect relationship, the link is definitely there.

Obesity impacts on many other aspects of health and life. Take a firm decision today to maintain a healthy weight and avoid weight gain.

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