Bad diet drives kids’ kidney disease

NEW DELHI: Childhood kidney disease is increasing due to unhealthy lifestyles and a diet rich in salt and sugar, doctors recently said on World Kidney Day.

The event was aimed at raising awareness about risks to kidneys as well as to improve access to treatment. The theme this year was, “Kidney Health for All – Advancing Equitable Access to Care and Optimal Medication”.

Key lifestyle factors like unhealthy fast foods and lack of exercise have been major factors for the development of kidney diseases. These factors also lead to hypertension and diabetes, which increase harm to the kidneys.

“There is data suggesting an increase in childhood kidney disease. This rise is partly linked to lifestyle factors like processed food intake, hidden salt and sugar, and a lack of physical activity.

These habits contribute to poor overall health, including a rise in diabetes and obesity, both of which can damage the kidneys,” said Poonam Sidana, the Director of Neonatology and Paediatrics at the CK Birla Hospital in Delhi.

She noted that smoking and alcohol also raised the risk of kidney disease.

Akhila Vasanth Hassan, a Paediatric Nephrologist at Narayana Health City in Bangalore, said the incidence of stones in children had globally increased.

Increased salt and protein consumption, and the rising prevalence of obesity/metabolic syndrome were responsible for 75% to 85% of kidney stones in children, she said.

The doctors called for a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, proper hydration, increased fruit and vegetable intake and reducing processed foods. |