Question

In recent​ years, economists have begun to use height as a measure of health​ and, indirectly, general​ well-being. Over​time, people in​ high-income countries​ have, on​ average, become​taller, just as people in​ high-income countries today are taller than people in​ low-income countries. An analysis of economic indicators suggests that Country A has recorded remarkable growth for the last 50 years. A student of​ economics, who analyzes the economic data as part of his college​ project, comes to the conclusion that the average height of the​ country's population should have increased during this period.

Which of the​ following, if​ true, would undermine his​conclusion?

A.

Nutritionists believe that people with access to healthy food often choose less healthy alternatives when economic conditions are difficult.

B.

During this​ period, the populations of several​ low-income countries suffered from periodic epidemic attacks.

C.

The government has been firm in its stance of not allowing international fast food chains to operate inside the country.

D.

The country imposed a​ single-child per family law thirty years ago.

E.

Faced with a negative population growth​ rate, the country relaxed immigration control norms 25 years ago.

Answer 1

E. Faced with a negative population growth​ rate, the country relaxed immigration control norms 25 years ago.

Step-by-step explanation:

Given that immigrants increase the population and that they may come from a less healthy environment, having a less healthy background is very common for them. Even if the domestic population had a high average height, the mean value will surely decrease to the lower height of the immigrants.

Therefore, a correlation between economic growth and average health measured by height can be undermined, given E) is true.