Association between obesity and kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This study aimed to comprehensively assess epidemiologic evidence on the relation between obesity and kidney disease (KD). From 247 retrieved articles via PubMed (1980-2006), 25 cohorts, 3 cross-sectional, and 19 case-control studies met inclusion criteria. Related data were extracted using a standardized protocol. We estimated the pooled relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of KD for each body mass index (BMI) category compared with normal weight using meta-analysis models. Population attributable risk was also calculated. Compared with normal-weight individuals (18.5