It was already known that being "apple-shaped", as opposed to "pear-shaped", added to the risk of developing cardiovascular problems. This research, in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, found signs of kidney problems in even otherwise healthy apple-shaped people.
UK experts said people needed to take more care of their kidney health. The research, by a team at the University Medical Center Groningen, in the Netherlands, looked at more than 300 people who had either a healthy bodyweight. or who were overweight.
They found that having a higher waist-to-hip ratio – seen in those who were more apple-shaped – was associated with lower kidney function, reduced kidney blood flow and higher blood pressure in the kidneys.
This was the case even in those who were otherwise healthy.