Obesity represents an important risk factor for the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD), due to its known strong association with diabetes mellitus and hypertension, the two major causes of CKD, but also as an independent renal risk factor. This direct relationship between obesity and kidney injury has been undervalued. The aim of this revisión is to point out the mechanisms of kidney injury induced by obesity, underline the importance of this association and alert for the prevention, education and treatment of the obese patient, as a way to control this heavy modifiable risk factor.