The Hunter has been labelled as an obesity 'hot spot' above the state's average, as the obesity crisis increases across Australia
Kidney Health Australia released a one off report yesterday revealing the link between obesity and what is known as the silent killer: chronic kidney disease.
The Hunter New England and Central Coast region was shown to have an obesity rate of 68 per cent and a 12 per cent rate of chronic kidney disease. Both statistics are well above the state average of 63 per cent for obesity, and 10 per cent for kidney disease.
Medical Advisor and Board Member for Kidney Health Australia Jonathon Craig, says no matter your age now, the older you get the greater chance you have of becoming a statistic of obesity and kidney disease.
"As people get older, rates of obesity increase which is broadly consistent with what's happening in chronic kidney disease where the rates increase over time and are particularly prevalent in those aged over 60 or more."
According to the report, overweight people are 1.5 times more likely to develop kidney disease and for obese people the rate drastically doubles.
Kidney Health Australia CEO Mikaela Stafrace says "in obese people the kidneys have to work harder, filtering more blood than normal," and this increase in the kidney's function "can damage the kidneys - effectively shutting them down - and cause kidney disease".
