Even though the mice on the fatty diet got heavier, the increase in stress hormone in their fur wasn’t linked to how fat they became—it seems the diet itself caused the change.

Scientific Claim

In female ICR mice, the increase in hair corticosterone from a high-fat diet (60% kcal from fat) is not correlated with final body weight or BMI, suggesting the hormonal change is independent of adiposity.

Original Statement

“Neither weight (Pearson’s r = −0.35, P = 0.16) nor BMI (Pearson’s r = 0.06, P = 0.80) were significantly associated with hair corticosterone in CON mice. Similarly, mice on HF diet, did not show a significant association between hair corticosterone and weight (Pearson’s r = −0.08, P = 0.7) or BMI (Pearson’s r = −0.21, P = 0.34).”

From study:High fat diet induces obesity, alters eating pattern and disrupts corticosterone circadian rhythms in female ICR mice

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

association

Can only show association/correlation

Assessment Explanation

Correlation analysis is appropriate for this design. The claim correctly states lack of association without implying causation or mechanism.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

High fat diet induces obesity, alters eating pattern and disrupts corticosterone circadian rhythms in female ICR mice

Cohort Study

Animal

2023

The study found that mice on a high-fat diet had more stress hormone in their hair, even though they also got fatter — but the scientists didn’t find a link between how fat they got and how much stress hormone increased, suggesting the hormone change happened on its own.

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

High fat diet induces obesity, alters eating pattern and disrupts corticosterone circadian rhythms in female ICR mice

Score: 15

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279209

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