People with sedentary lifestyles are at increased risk of developing kidney disease

Being sedentary for too long during the day may be a risk factor for chronic kidney disease, according to a study that will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2015.

The researchers define sedentary behavior as engaging in activities in the seated or lying position that barely raise the energy expenditure above resting level, and said that it is commonly confused with physical inactivity, which is a lack of moderate/vigorous physical activity.

Dominique Ferranti, Srini Beddhu, MD, from the University of Utah School of Medicine, and their colleagues examined this topic in 5,873 adults in whom intensity and duration of physical activities were measured.

The researchers found that each 80 minutes/day (assuming 16 awake hours/day) increase in sedentary duration was associated with a 20% increased likelihood of chronic kidney disease. This association was independent of moderate/vigorous physical activity duration, demographics, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, lung disease and mobility limitations. Moreover, this association persisted even after adjusting for type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.

“Sedentary behavior, which is not mere lack of moderate/vigorous physical activity, is likely an independent risk factor for chronic kidney disease,” said Beddhu. “It needs to be tested whether sedentary behavior affects the progression of chronic kidney disease, and thereby, increases the risk of end stage renal disease. Hence, interventions targeting sedentary behavior to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease need to be conducted.”

Study info: “Sedentary Behavior as a Risk Factor for CKD” (Abstract FR-OR112).-by Rebecca Zumoff