Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Being underweight is generally not considered a risk factor for the formation of kidney stones. In fact, individuals who are overweight or obese have a higher risk for developing stones, particularly calcium oxalate stones, due to factors such as higher levels of certain chemicals in the urine that contribute to stone formation.

Oral contraceptives, pregnancy, and older age are all associated with increased risk factors for stone formation. For instance, hormonal changes during pregnancy can affect the metabolism of calcium and oxalate, while hormonal fluctuations due to oral contraceptives may influence kidney function and urinary composition. Older age is often associated with various health issues that can contribute to kidney stone development, such as changes in urine composition or chronic dehydration due to a decreased sense of thirst.

Thus, understanding these nuances clarifies why being underweight does not fit into the pattern of risk factors associated with kidney stones.