Whether you are on hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, losing weight probably seems like a daunting task. The fact is, exercising and maintaining an appropriate body weight are important for a healthy lifestyle and can be done even when you are on dialysis. You need to work with your doctor and a registered dietitian so that you can exercise and eat appropriately as a dialysis patient.
BMI
It is a well-known fact that a body mass index, or BMI, of 25 or higher indicates that a person is overweight. However, the National Kidney Foundation indicates that a high BMI for a dialysis patient may be associated with a better health outcome than for the general population, because weight measurement is more complicated in a dialysis patient. This doesn't mean that you can eat lots of fattening and unhealthy foods, however, because this health advantage only exists if a high BMI is coupled with a low body fat percentage and maintenance of muscle mass. In other words, your goal isn't just to lose weight -- it is to reduce body fat and build muscle.
Exercise
Regular exercise is a great way to not only lose weight, but also to reduce your body fat and build muscle. Not to mention physical activity has numerous cardiovascular benefits. You can exercise while you are on dialysis if you involve your doctor and don't push yourself too fast. If you have mobility issues, your doctor can refer you to a physical therapist to help you with various stretching and strengthening exercises. There may also be special exercise bikes and machines that you can use while receiving a dialysis treatment. This exercise equipment can be adjusted to fit your needs and may help with mobility.
Diet
When you are on dialysis, you will most likely be on a special diet and be informed of foods that you can and can't eat. This special diet, however, doesn't mean that you can't eat healthy. In an article for the American Association of Kidney Patients, Maria Karalis, RD, LD, CSR, recommends working with a registered dietitian to ensure that you are eating appropriately for dialysis and to meet your weight loss goals. For example, you may be advised to limit high-fat foods like butter, mayonnaise, certain cooking oils, fried foods and desserts. These fatty foods probably won't be totally off-limits in your diet, though, because they are often low in potassium and phosphorous, which diseased kidneys can't process. A dietitian can identify ways for you to cut back on these unhealthy foods.
Stay Vigilant
You should watch your weight when you are on dialysis. Seeing that your diet and exercise efforts are working for you is an added benefit of keeping a watchful eye on your weight. Extreme weight gain in just a few days could be retained fluid and a sign that your dialysis is not functioning properly. Unanticipated weight loss usually means you are not getting enough calories and may be a complication of your disease. Your weight should always be closely monitored by your doctor.
References
- National Kidney Foundation; Dialysis; 2011
- American Association of Kidney Patients; As a Dialysis Patient, How Can I Get in Better Shape?; Maria Karalis, RD, LD, CSR; January 2003
- National Kidney Foundation (KDOQI); KDOQI Clinical Practice Guidelines for Cardiovascular Disease in Dialysis Patients; 2005
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