Obesity is linked to so many diseases, that it is hardly surprising to learn that it increases the risk of chronic kidney diseases. But the problem is that it’s highly rampant among young adults who are largely unaware of it.
According to UPI, a majority of young adults that suffers from abdominal obesity exhibit a readily detectable risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD), however, unfortunately a vast majority don't know they're at risk, said a study of nationwide health data led by Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
"Even though chronic kidney disease typically manifests in older people, the disease can start much earlier but often is not recognized early on," said study leader Dr. Michal Melamed, an associate professor of medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, in New York City.
The team collected data from nearly 7,000 adults, aged between 20 to 40, from across the US and found out that 11 percent of obese Mexican-Americans and about 6 percent of obese whites and blacks had elevated levels of the protein albumin in the urine.
Such a condition is termed as albuminuria, which is a sign that kidneys are not functioning properly. Therefore, putting the person at an increased risk for chronic kidney disease, the researchers said.
As per Medical Express, the researchers at Einstein found that excess albumin was present even in the urine of obese individuals with normal blood pressure, glucose levels, and insulin sensitivity, which confirms a direct relation between obesity and the albuminuria.
The report added that the results revealed that obesity should be considered an independent risk factor for CKD and that doctors should be testing for kidney damage when evaluating obese young adults.
"Clearly, clinicians and public health officials need to do more to identify and treat young people at risk for early progressive kidney disease so they can adopt the behavioral changes to prevent (kidney disease)from occurring," Melamed said in a news release.
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