Researchers of a Global Burden of Disease 2021 analysis spanning 204 countries and territories found that low fruit intake, low vegetable intake, and high sodium intake were the leading dietary contributors to chronic kidney disease (CKD) burden worldwide. In 2021, the age-standardized rate of diet-attributable CKD disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) was 93.52 per 100,000 population, up from 84.12 in 1990. Low fruit intake accounted for the highest DALY rate (38.68 per 100,000), followed by low vegetable intake (30.84) and high sodium intake (19.81). Burden increased sharply after age 65, was consistently higher among men, and varied substantially by geography and socioeconomic status.
The findings also highlight why dietary counseling may need to reflect patients’ underlying CKD risks and socioeconomic context rather than rely on a one-size-fits-all approach. Lower-Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) regions experienced greater burden associated with inadequate fruit, vegetable, and whole-grain intake and high sodium, particularly in hypertension-related CKD. Higher-SDI regions had relatively greater type 2 diabetes–related burden associated with processed meat, red meat, and sugar-sweetened beverages. The population-level findings reinforce the potential role of nutrition as one component of CKD prevention and management while recognizing that diet interacts with obesity, physical activity, smoking, medications, genetics, and other factors not fully captured in the analysis.
Reference: McCormick B. Dietary risks tied to rising global CKD burden. AJMC. Published August 18, 2026. Accessed September 17, 2026. https://www.ajmc.com/view/dietary-risks-tied-to-rising-global-ckd-burden
Link: https://www.ajmc.com/view/dietary-risks-tied-to-rising-global-ckd-burden
