Advances in Chronic Kidney Disease
Volume 13, Issue 4 , Pages 428-432, October 2006

Obesity: A Problem of Darwinian Proportions?

  • Suzanne Watnick

      Affiliations

    • Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR
    • Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, OR.
    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress correspondence to Suzanne Watnick, MD, Portland VA Medical Center, 3710 SW US Veterans’ Hospital Drive, P3NEPH, Portland, OR 97239.

Obesity has been described as an abnormality arising from the evolution of man, who becomes fat during the time of perpetual plenty. From the perspective of “Darwinian Medicine,” if famine is avoided, obesity will prevail. Problems regarding obesity arise within many disciplines, including socioeconomic environments, the educational system, science, law, and government. This article will discuss various ethical aspects of several disciplines regarding obesity, with a focus on scientific inquiry. We will discuss this within the categories: (1) chronic kidney disease predialysis, (2) dialysis, and (3) renal transplantation. This article aims to help nephrologists and their patients navigate through the ethical aspects of obesity and chronic kidney disease.

Index Words: Obesity, chronic kidney disease, dialysis, kidney transplantation, bioethics

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PII: S1548-5595(06)00109-1

doi:10.1053/j.ackd.2006.07.005

Advances in Chronic Kidney Disease
Volume 13, Issue 4 , Pages 428-432, October 2006

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