Fatter than the national average and at higher risk of serious disease – that’s the scary picture a new report paints for residents of south-east NSW.
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As Kidney Health Week winds up in the region this weekend, health professionals warn “the silent killer” – kidney disease – is a real threat for many.
Kidney Health Australia says rising obesity rates are pushing Australia over into a kidney disease crisis.
For those living in south-eastern NSW, the rate of those considered overweight or obese has hit 69 per cent, compared to a national average of 63 percent.
There’s a kicker – at 20 per cent, the rate of chronic kidney disease in the region is double the national average, the organisation says.
“The growing national obesity crisis is set to lead to a significant increase in chronic conditions, such as kidney disease,” a new report shows.
Obesity and Chronic Kidney Disease: the Hidden Impact shows skyrocketing obesity rates across Australian Primary Health Networks and highlights the link to above-average chronic kidney disease rates.
In the 16 health areas across the country where overweight and obesity rates are above the national average of 63 per cent, the majority also have higher than average estimated rates of chronic kidney disease,” the report says.
Kidney Health Australia CEO Mikaela Stafrace said it was a very concerning situation.
“There appears to be a strong correlation between obesity and chronic kidney disease rates in some areas,” she said.
“Being obese is a potent risk factor for the development of kidney disease
“In obese people, the kidneys have to work harder, filtering more blood than normal.
“This increase in function can damage the kidneys – effectively shutting them down – and cause kidney disease.
“It’s critical that Australians understand that when your kidneys shut down, your body shuts down.”
Overweight people increase their risk of developing kidney disease by 1.5 times.
Obese people double their risk of developing kidney disease.
The report shows 1.7 million Australian adults have at least one clinical sign of chronic kidney disease, yet 90 per cent don’t know they do.
It is estimated that 510,000 (or one third of) Australians have signs of chronic kidney disease that may be due to obesity.
The other ugly number is that 90 per cent of kidney function can be lost before it is detected, hence the title “silent killer”.
