Obesity and Chronic Kidney Disease: The Dual Epidemic in Cardiovascular Health

Christopher Henry Grant1, Samira Bell1

  • 1Division of Population Health and Genomics, School of Medicine, University of Dundee Scotland.

European Cardiology
|November 10, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Obesity significantly increases the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular events in adults. Effective management requires integrated care addressing lifestyle, medications, and surgery to improve patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Cardiology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Over half of adults are overweight or obese, with 1 in 10 having chronic kidney disease (CKD).
  • Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, particularly in patients with CKD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the pathophysiology, epidemiology, and management of obesity in adults with non-dialysis-dependent CKD.
  • To highlight therapeutic principles, challenges, and the importance of collaborative care.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on obesity-associated kidney disease.
  • Discussion of pathophysiological mechanisms including inflammation and metabolic dysfunction.
  • Analysis of current and emerging treatment options for obesity in CKD patients.

Main Results:

  • Obesity with metabolic syndrome contributes to new-onset CKD, disease progression, and cardiovascular death.
  • Treatment modalities include lifestyle changes, pharmacotherapy (GLP-1 RAs, SGLT2 inhibitors), and bariatric surgery.
  • Fragmented care, limited evidence, and environmental factors pose significant management challenges.

Conclusions:

  • Collaborative management between cardiologists and nephrologists is crucial for obese adults with CKD.
  • Proactive screening and management of cardiorenal risk can mitigate harm.
  • Addressing obesity is essential for improving cardiovascular and renal outcomes in this high-risk population.

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