Weight gain and obesity linked to higher risk of kidney stones

“Our study demonstrated that multiple measures of larger body size, including larger waist circumference, higher weight, and higher body mass index, were related to an elevated risk of kidney stones,” said Eric Taylor, M.D., a BWH researcher and nephrologist.

The data are based on a study of approximately 45,000 men and more than 200,000 women enrolled in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study and the Nurses’ Health Study who were followed for up to 20 years.

The researchers, who accounted for difference in diet, fluid intake, and medications in the study participants, report that women in the highest weight category had an 89-percent greater risk, and men a 44-percent greater risk, of kidney stones than those in the lowest weight category. Obese women had a 90-percent greater risk, and men a 33-percent greater risk, of kidney stones than women with a lower BMI. Women with the largest waists had a 71-percent greater risk, and men a 48- percent greater risk, than those with the smallest waists. Men who gained more than 35 pounds since age 21 and women who gained more than 35 pounds since ages 18 had 39-percent and 70-percent greater risks, respectively.