The prevalence of kidney stones in the United States has increased from 1 in 20 persons to 1 in 11 persons since 1994, according to a study using data from the 2007–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The study found that 8.8% of the U.S. population reported a history of kidney stones, with men having a higher prevalence (10.6%) than women (7.1%). Obese individuals were more likely to have a history of kidney stones compared to normal-weight individuals. Black and Hispanic individuals were less likely to report a history of kidney stones than white, non-Hispanic individuals. Obesity and diabetes were strongly associated with a history of kidney stones. The study also found that the prevalence of kidney stones increased significantly in black, non-Hispanic and Hispanic individuals compared to the 1994 NHANES data. The study suggests that dietary and lifestyle factors likely play an important role in the changing epidemiology of kidney stones. The study highlights the need for further efforts toward secondary prevention of kidney stones. The findings should be considered in the context of the cross-sectional design of the NHANES instrument, which limits causal inference. The study also notes that the prevalence of kidney stones is likely related to the rising prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in the U.S. population.The prevalence of kidney stones in the United States has increased from 1 in 20 persons to 1 in 11 persons since 1994, according to a study using data from the 2007–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The study found that 8.8% of the U.S. population reported a history of kidney stones, with men having a higher prevalence (10.6%) than women (7.1%). Obese individuals were more likely to have a history of kidney stones compared to normal-weight individuals. Black and Hispanic individuals were less likely to report a history of kidney stones than white, non-Hispanic individuals. Obesity and diabetes were strongly associated with a history of kidney stones. The study also found that the prevalence of kidney stones increased significantly in black, non-Hispanic and Hispanic individuals compared to the 1994 NHANES data. The study suggests that dietary and lifestyle factors likely play an important role in the changing epidemiology of kidney stones. The study highlights the need for further efforts toward secondary prevention of kidney stones. The findings should be considered in the context of the cross-sectional design of the NHANES instrument, which limits causal inference. The study also notes that the prevalence of kidney stones is likely related to the rising prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in the U.S. population.