What major risk factor is associated with severe hypothermia aside from exposure to cold?

Severe hypothermia is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, leading to dangerously low body temperatures. While exposure to cold is the primary factor contributing to hypothermia, inadequate clothing plays a vital role in increasing the risk of developing this condition.

Clothing serves as the first line of defense against the elements by providing insulation and protecting the body from wind and moisture. Insufficient or inappropriate clothing can fail to trap body heat effectively, allowing it to escape rapidly. Wet clothing, for instance, can significantly impair insulation, exacerbating heat loss. In cold environments, if a person is not dressed adequately for the conditions—such as wearing cotton, which retains moisture, instead of insulating materials—they are much more susceptible to hypothermia.

While dehydration, fatigue, and high altitude can contribute to weakness and may indirectly affect a person's ability to stay warm or seek shelter, they do not have the direct and profound impact on thermal protection that inadequate clothing does. Hence, while all these factors can play a role in a person’s overall risk for hypothermia, inadequate clothing is a direct and significant risk factor that fundamentally affects one's ability to maintain body heat in cold environments.