US Adult Obesity vs US Mobile Subscriptions

US Adult Obesity and US Mobile Subscriptions correlate at r = +0.98 over 42 years (1980–2024), p < 0.0001. With the time trend removed, r = +0.62. Holds up after detrending.

Verdict: Holds up after detrending. Statistically significant (p = < 0.0001) and the association survives trend removal (detrended r = 0.62). Correlation still isn't causation, but this one isn't an obvious artifact.

Pearson r: +0.98
p-value: < 0.0001
Years compared (n): 42 (1980–2024)
95% confidence interval: 0.97 to 0.99
Correlation with the time trend removed: +0.62

Sources

US Adult Obesity (% of adults): Our World in Data. US Adult Obesity (Our World in Data: Obesity among adults, BMI >= 30 kg/m2 (crude estimate) (%) - Sex: both sexes - Age group: 18+ years of age).
US Mobile Subscriptions (per 100 people): World Bank. US Mobile Subscriptions (World Bank indicator IT.CEL.SETS.P2).

Related pairs

US Adult Obesity vs US Population (r = +1.00)
US Median Age vs US Adult Obesity (r = +0.99)
US Mobile Subscriptions vs US Resident Patent Applications (r = +0.99)
US Marriage Rate vs US Adult Obesity (r = -0.98)
US Adult Obesity vs US Resident Patent Applications (r = +0.98)
US Adult Obesity vs US Internet Users (r = +0.98)

Correlation does not imply causation. How the verdict is worked out.