Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a serious condition associated with early mortality, decreased quality of life, and increased health-care expenditures. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) collected from 1999 to 2012 were used. Subjects were divided into 4 estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) categories: stage 1: eGFR≥90mL/min/1.73m2, stage 2: eGFR 60–89, stage 3: eGFR 30–59, and stage 4/5: eGFR<30, and 3 age strata (<45y, 45–64, 65+). Associations between protein intake and albuminuria were determined. A total of 45,259 subjects were included. Despite decreasing protein intake, there was a significant increase in the prevalence of albuminuria with decreasing levels of eGFR. Multivariable analysis showed that albuminuria was associated with daily protein intake in patients ≥65years old with stage 1 disease, and that diabetes was associated with albuminuria in patients ≥65years old with stage 2 and 3 diseases. Overall, albuminuria in patients with stage 1 disease was associated with hours of sitting per day and blood glucose level. Albuminuria was associated with daily protein intake in patients of 45–64years old with stage 1 CKD disease, and was associated with hours of sitting per day and blood glucose level. These data further support the importance of lifestyle changes in the management of CKD, especially in patients with early-stage disease. •Albuminuria in stage 1 chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with activity level.•Albuminuria in stage 1 CKD is associated with blood glucose level.•Albuminuria is associated with protein intake in those 45–65years with stage 1 CKD.•Diabetes is associated with albuminuria in those ≥65years with stage 2 and 3 CKD.•These data support the importance of lifestyle changes in the management of CKD.