PURPOSE

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a serious health concern with an estimated prevalence of about 13.4% worldwide. It is cause and consequence of various comorbidities, including cardiovascular diseases. In parallel, common pathological conditions closely related to ageing and unhealthy dietary habits increase the risk of CKD development and progression, including type 2 diabetes and obesity. Among these, obesity is either independent risk factor for new onset kidney disease or accelerates the rate of decline of kidney function by multiple mechanisms. Therefore, the role of diets aimed at attaining weight loss in patients with obesity is clearly essential to prevent CKD as to slow disease progression. Various dietary approaches have been licensed for the medical dietary therapy in CKD, including low-protein diet and Mediterranean diet. Interestingly, emerging evidence also support the use of low-carbohydrate/ketogenic diet (LCD/KD) in these patients. More specifically, LCD/KDs may efficiently promote weight loss, improve metabolic parameters, and reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, resulting in a dietary strategy that act globally in managing collateral conditions that are directly and indirectly related to the kidney function.

CONCLUSION

This consensus statement from the Italian Society of Endocrinology (SIE), working group of the Club Nutrition - Hormones and Metabolism; the Italian Society of Nutraceuticals (SINut), Club Ketodiets and Nutraceuticals "KetoNut-SINut"; and the Italian Society of Nephrology (SIN) is intended to be a guide for Endocrinologist, Nutritionists and Nephrologist who deal with the management of patients with obesity with non-dialysis CKD providing a practical guidance on assessing nutritional status and prescribing the optimal diet in order to best manage obesity to prevent CKD and its progression to dialysis.