Epidemiological foundations for the insurance hypothesis: Methodological considerations
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Updated: Feb 15, 2026

Perceptual and Category Processing of the Uncanny Valley Hypothesis' Dimension of Human Likeness: Some Methodological Issues
Published on: June 3, 2013
Joseph M Boden1, Geraldine F H McLeod1
1Christchurch 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.
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