Weighing too much may raise your chances for developing Urinary Tract Infections (UTI), a new study has said.

The study was conducted by Baltimore researchers.

To uncover whether increased weight is associated with a UTI diagnosis, the study researchers evaluated insurance claims of 95,962 people.

After a five years review (from 2002 to 2006), the researchers discovered that the increase in the body mass index (BMI) raised one’s chances of being diagnosed with an increased urinary tract infection (UTI).

Anthony Y. Smith, MD, an AUA spokesman, said, “The effect of the obesity epidemic in the United States transcends any one medical specialty or condition.”

“Patients with elevated body mass index should be vigilant about urologic health because even the most simple of urinary tract infections can be deadly if left untreated,” Smith added.

The researchers presented the study results during the 104th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA).