Association Between Childhood Obesity and Long-term Renal Disorders

Childhood obesity is recognized as a significant contributor to various long-term health issues, although its impact on kidney function in later life remains largely unexplored. 

A new systematic review assessed the association between childhood obesity and future kidney function by analyzing prospective and retrospective cohort studies and nested case-control articles. This study involved a search across prominent international databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. 

Overall, 8 prospective cohort studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. All these studies were published within the last decade and had follow-up periods ranging from 8-64 years.

Among the selected studies, 6 revealed a statistically significant positive correlation between higher body mass index (BMI) levels during early life and a greater risk for renal disease in later years. This suggested a potential connection between obesity during childhood and the development of kidney disease during adulthood. 

The findings should prompt public health authorities to formulate comprehensive obesity prevention strategies at the population level. Given the escalating prevalence of obese children, imparting awareness and implementing comprehensive guidelines regarding dietary habits and physical activity, considering physiological and psychological factors, are warranted to manage early-life obesity effectively.

Source: Pourghazi F, Mohammadi S, Eslami M, et al. Journal of Renal Nutrition. 2023 Mar 23.