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Epidemiological foundations for the insurance hypothesis: Methodological considerations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2017

Joseph M. Boden
Affiliation:
Christchurch Health and Development Study, University of Otago, Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Christchurch, New Zealand. joseph.boden@otago.ac.nzgeraldine.mcleod@otago.ac.nz
Geraldine F. H. McLeod
Affiliation:
Christchurch Health and Development Study, University of Otago, Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Christchurch, New Zealand. joseph.boden@otago.ac.nzgeraldine.mcleod@otago.ac.nz

Abstract

Nettle et al. evaluate evidence for the insurance hypothesis, which links obesity with the perception of food scarcity. Epidemiological findings in this area have generally been weak and inconsistent. The present commentary examines three key methodological issues arising from the literature on the association between obesity and the perception of food scarcity in humans, with suggestions for future epidemiological research.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

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