Doctor Nguyen Thi Kieu Linh, from the Department of Nephrology - Dialysis at Tam Anh General Hospital Hanoi, states that obesity affects more than just physical appearance or increases the risk of metabolic diseases. It is also a significant risk factor for chronic kidney disease. Prolonged overweight and obesity not only directly damage the kidneys but also promote many conditions that can lead to kidney dysfunction.

As body weight increases, so does the body's metabolic demand. To meet this demand, the kidneys filter more blood than usual, leading to an increased glomerular filtration rate and higher pressure within the glomerular capillaries. If this condition persists, the kidney's filtering units can be damaged, impairing their ability to filter blood and remove waste products.

Beyond direct impact, obesity also raises the risk of conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and metabolic disorders – leading causes of chronic kidney disease. Even without these conditions, studies show obesity can independently damage kidneys through prolonged filtration pressure and chronic inflammation.

A doctor advises on preventing kidney complications from obesity. *Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital*

Doctor Linh notes that kidney damage from obesity often progresses silently. Most patients show no clear symptoms in the early stages, even as kidney function declines daily. Some cases are only discovered during health check-ups or when tests reveal albuminuria, proteinuria, elevated blood creatinine, or a reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

If uncontrolled, prolonged damage can lead to chronic kidney disease. When kidney function significantly declines, patients may require kidney replacement therapy such as dialysis or a kidney transplant. Studies also indicate that overweight and obese individuals face a much higher risk of end-stage kidney failure compared to those of normal weight.

The risk of kidney damage from obesity can improve with proper weight management. Healthy weight loss helps reduce pressure on the glomeruli, improves blood pressure and blood sugar, and lowers the body's metabolic burden. For those with chronic kidney disease, maintaining an appropriate weight also helps slow disease progression and reduce the risk of complications.

To protect kidney health, overweight and obese individuals should adopt a balanced diet, limiting high-energy foods, sugar, and saturated fats, while increasing vegetables, fruits, and whole grains as advised by a doctor or nutritionist. Maintaining at least 150 minutes of weekly physical activity, with suitable options like: walking, cycling, or swimming, helps improve weight and metabolic health. Patients should not use rapid weight loss methods or self-medicate with weight-loss drugs without medical guidance.

Overweight and obese individuals should undergo regular health check-ups, especially if they have high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of kidney disease. Monitoring kidney function through tests like blood creatinine, eGFR, and urine analysis helps detect damage early, allowing for timely treatment and control, thereby limiting the risk of progression to kidney failure.

Thu Giang