A study was done to determine whether obesity impacts the rate of chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. Researchers examined over 120 non-diabetic CKD patients and measured their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) as well as blood pressure. The participants were also placed in three categories: normal weight, overweight and obese, to determine the rate of CKD progression.
 
The study found the overweight and obese CKD patients had much higher blood pressure and their eGFR levels lowered at a more rapid rate. Researchers determined patients' weight is strongly associated with the progression of CKD and lowering of the eGFR rate.

This article originally appeared in the August 2009 issue of Kidney Beginnings: The Electronic Newsletter.