Rising Rates of Obesity in Japanese End-Stage Kidney Disease Patients

A comprehensive nationwide study from Japan has revealed a significant rise in overweight and obesity rates among patients with incident end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) over a 14-year period. While underweight individuals remain prevalent in this population, the study emphasizes the growing burden of excessive weight as a global challenge for ESKD care.

Overweight and Obesity Trends on the Rise
Published in Nephrology, the study utilized data from the Japanese Society of Dialysis Therapy Renal Data Registry and National Health and Nutrition Survey, covering 2006 to 2019. Researchers found a marked increase in the age-adjusted prevalence of overweight and obese individuals among incident ESKD patients of both sexes. Notably, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was consistently higher in this patient population compared to the general Japanese population.

Interestingly, while the general population showed rising obesity rates predominantly in men, ESKD patients displayed an upward trend across both sexes. Despite a decline in underweight prevalence among ESKD patients, rates of underweight remained significantly higher than those observed in the general population.

Tackling a Dual Public Health Challenge
The study highlights a critical dual challenge in managing the health of ESKD patients: addressing both the increasing burden of obesity and the persistent issue of underweight prevalence. Obesity in ESKD patients is a growing concern worldwide, with similar trends observed in countries like the United States and Italy.

These findings underscore the need for targeted public health strategies that simultaneously address the obesity epidemic and nutritional deficiencies in vulnerable populations. As the study’s corresponding author, Dr. Minako Wakasugi, noted, “Public health efforts should focus on mitigating the obesity epidemic while also addressing the prevalence of underweight individuals in the incident ESKD population.”

By identifying these trends and disparities, the study calls for greater attention to nutrition and weight management in ESKD care, aligning with broader efforts to improve outcomes for this patient population.