Obesity Linked to Kidney Stones
and weight gain may increase the risk of kidney stone formation, according to a
new study from Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in
Obese women have a 90 percent greater
risk of kidney stones
These findings suggest that developing ways to
holiday weight gain may be extremely
important for preventing obesity and the diseases associated with it.
What are Kidney stones?
Kidney stones are
hard, stone-like masses that can form in one or both kidneys.
Most people have
two kidneys , which "clean" the blood. They filter out water and waste products,
making urine. Kidney stones are formed out of crystals found in the urine. In
most cases, the crystals are too tiny to be noticed, and pass harmlessly out of
the body. However, they can build up inside the kidney and form much larger
If a stone
becomes large enough to block the flow of urine out of the kidney, it can cause
pressure, pain and infection. If a stone moves out of the kidney with the flow
of urine, it can cause severe pain as it moves through the ureters – the tubes that carry urine from the kidney to the bladder. If a stone gets stuck, an
infection can occur. Depending on its size and position, an untreated kidney
stone could cause permanent damage to the kidneys.
Obesity and incidence of Kidney Stone
affect approximately 5 percent of women. More than $2 billion is spent on
the treatment of kidney stones each year.
The data is based
on a study of approximately more than 200,000 women enrolled in the Health
Professionals Follow-up Study and the Nurses’ Health Studies who were followed
for up to 20 years.
larger body size causes increased urination of calcium and uric acid, resulting
in a higher risk for calcium-containing kidney stones. Also, fat tissue may
decrease the body’s ability to respond to insulin, which could cause changes to
the urine that favor the growth of kidney stones, but more research needs to be
done to confirm this hypothesis.
the association between the formation of kidney stones and weight, weight gain,
body mass index, and
waist circumference. Study results Younger women
(ages 27 to 44) who weighed more than 220 pounds have a 92-percent increased
risk of kidney stones, while older women (ages 34 to 59) had an 89-percent
When compared to
older women who stayed the same weight, women who gained more than 35 pounds
since age 21 had a 70-percent increase, and younger women with similar
weight gain had an 82-percent increased risk of forming kidney stones. Higher
BMI and waist sizes were also associated with an increased risk for kidney
Obesity and weight
gain appear to increase the risk of kidney stones.
Women in the
highest weight category had an 89 percent greater risk of kidney stones
compared to those in the lowest weight category.
Women who were
obese had a 90 percent greater risk of kidney stones compared to women in
a lower category of body mass index (BMI).
Women with the
largest waist circumferences had a 71 percent greater risk of kidney
stones compared to those with the lowest waist circumferences.
gained more than 35 pounds since age 18 had a 70 percent greater risk of
To aid in the
prevention of kidney stones consider the following information.
Consuming too much
protein can damage the kidneys. The recommended
amount of daily protein is two grams for every four pounds of body weight. Also,
a diet low in sodium and sugar and abundant in
vegetables, is recommended.
Weight control is an effective measure to prevent kidney stone formation.
Drink 10 glasses
of water each day.
liquids, such as coffee, tea, and alcohol.
the diet prescribed by your doctor. You may need to limit the following:
chocolates, and nuts
Organ meats and
medications prescribed by your doctor, even if your symptoms have disappeared.
Try to achieve
and maintain a healthy
Dated 03 May 2012