JOURNAL ARTICLE

Collider bias and the obesity paradox.

  • Published In: Nutrition Reviews, 2023, v. 81, n. 2. P. 231 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Horita, Nobuyuki; Kato, Shingo; Utsunomiya, Daisuke 3 of 3

Abstract

The article focuses on the "obesity paradox," a phenomenon where obesity appears associated with better survival outcomes in various diseases, including colorectal cancer, despite common assumptions to the contrary. It highlights collider bias—a type of selection bias—as a plausible explanation, where confounding factors like smoking and age influence observed survival benefits in obese patients rather than obesity itself. The authors emphasize that if original studies are affected by collider bias, subsequent meta-analyses will also be biased, and they advocate for the use of advanced analytical methods such as propensity score matching to control for confounders and clarify the true relationship between obesity and disease outcomes.

Additional Information

  • Source:Nutrition Reviews. 2023/02, Vol. 81, Issue 2, p231
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Health and Medicine
  • Publication Date:2023
  • ISSN:0029-6643
  • DOI:10.1093/nutrit/nuac077
  • Accession Number:161313530
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