Kidney Disease and the Westernization and Industrialization of Food

The industrialization of food in the United States has led to lower prices, and families now spend a smaller percentage of their total income on food compared with past generations. The decline in prices for food commodities has led to sharp increases in food consumption, with average caloric intake in the United States now more than 500 calories higher per day compared to the 1970s. This increase in total food consumption has fueled the ongoing obesity epidemic, which in turn has likely played a role in the epidemic of end-stage renal disease during the last 2 decades. A close examination of dietary behaviors in the United States reveals high consumption of salt and animal protein, which negatively affects kidney disease progression. An interprofessional approach is necessary to address obesity, and studies are needed to identify best practices for integrating medical nutrition therapy into the long-term care of patients with chronic kidney disease.