The Link Between Obesity and Elderly Suicide Rates
Author Information
Author(s): Ajit Shah
Primary Institution: University of Central Lancashire
Hypothesis
There will be no relationship between the prevalence of obesity and national elderly suicide rates.
Conclusion
Elderly suicide rates in females are independently associated with the prevalence of obesity.
Supporting Evidence
- There were significant negative correlations between the prevalence of obesity in females and the suicide rates in females aged 65-74 and 75+ years.
- The independent predictors of suicide rate in females included the national prevalence rate of obesity and divorce rates.
- The study suggests a need for confirmation in individual-level case-control or cohort studies.
Takeaway
This study found that as obesity rates go up, the number of elderly women committing suicide goes down, but we need to be careful about saying one causes the other.
Methodology
A cross-national ecological study using data from the World Health Organization and the United Nations, examining the relationship between obesity prevalence and elderly suicide rates.
Potential Biases
Potential biases due to the ecological nature of the study.
Limitations
Caution should be exercised in attributing causation due to ecological fallacy.
Participant Demographics
Data included elderly individuals aged 65-74 and 75+ years from 40 countries.
Statistical Information
P-Value
P=0.001 for females aged 65-74, P=0.003 for females aged 75+
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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