More Fun with Correlations

As we explored in an earlier post there are some interesting correlations (at the state level) between the number of references to beer and Christianity in the geoweb relative to obesity. (Recap: while it looks like Christianity is causing obesity it really a matter of income).

We're starting to look deeper at the interrelation of content on the geoweb but before we do, we thought we finally post a couple more obesity correlations. And to reiterate, the obesity data is coming from the CDC, not us.

This time around we compared the relative frequency of geoweb references to "feminist" and "gay" to the offline level of obesity at the state level. As the two graphs below demonstrate, states with more references to these two topics are less obese. Again, per capita income is likely an important (albeit not the only) factor in shaping these variables.

It is, however, interesting to look at the outliers from the general trend, e.g., Colorado in particular. Although it has the lowest level of obesity in any of the states, the relative number of references to "gay" and "feminist" in its cyberscape is much lower than states with similar obesity. In other words, to fit into the overall norm of U.S. states, Coloradans need to either (1) gain a lot more weight or (2) start using the terms "gay" and "feminist" more.

Food (pun intended) for thought. Stay tuned as we belly up for some falafel, wine and shepherd's pie.

Feminist and Obesity

Gay and Obesity

Obesity, Beer and Christianity: Or Correlation does not equal causation

One of the basic rules in statistical analysis is that correlation does not equal causation. But in the hot days of a Kentucky summer one often gives into temptation, especially if the graphs look good.

We therefore leave it to our readers to jump to the unsupported causal relationship. Sorry, you'll have to work/think through this one yourself.

Y-axis: Percentage of a state's population that is Obese
X- axis: Number of Placemarks with
Keyword Beer / Total number of Placemarks
Bivaritate correlation (-0.45)

Y-axis: Percentage of a state's population that is Obese
X- axis: Number of Placemarks
with Keyword Christianity / Total number of Placemarks
Bivaritate correlation (0.729)

Although the nature of the graphs invite one to believe that Christianity is somehow responsible for obesity this is no doubt a spurious correlation. It is well known that obesity and religious practice are strongly related to income. One can see this in which states are clustered at the extremes.

Why places with a high percentage of beer reference are less obese is a bit more difficult to explain.

Don't worry, we have more. We particularly like relationship between placemarks with the terms falafel and feminist.