Question

A 2007 U.S. study by Fontana, Klein, and Holloszy compared a number of factors associated with heart disease and metabolic disorders such as diabetes and blood pressure. Three groups of 21 participants in this observational study were matched for age, gender and other characteristics. The subjects in the raw vegan diet group were sedentary and had been eating a low-calorie, low-protein vegan diet composed primarily of unprocessed and uncooked plant-derived foods for at least 2 years. The subjects in the endurance runners group ran an average of 48 miles per week for an average of 21 years. The subjects in the western diet group consisted of sedentary and non-obese subjects who ate a typical western diet (characterized by high intakes of red meat, sugary treats, high-fat foods, and refined grains). All subjects in the study were healthy adults. Results of this study were published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2006.

The researchers found that the western diet group was more likely to have borderline-high to high blood compared to the raw vegan diet group. Furthermore, 50% of the western diet group had higher blood pressure than 75% of the endurance runners.

Students in a statistics class were asked to summarize the results of the study. Which of the student statements is an appropriate summary? Check all that apply.

a. A western diet is associated with higher blood pressure.
b. Eating a western diet increases blood pressure.
c. A western diet is linked with a greater risk of high blood pressure.

Answer 1

a. A western diet is associated with higher blood pressure.

b. Eating a western diet increases blood pressure.

Explanation:

Given that :

Three groups of 21 participants participated in an observational study.

A

The raw vegan diet group who sedentary and had been eating a low-calorie, low-protein vegan diet composed primarily of unprocessed and uncooked plant-derived foods for at least 2 years.

B

The subjects in the endurance runners group who ran an average of 48 miles per week for an average of 21 years.

C

The subjects in the western diet group consisted of sedentary and non-obese subjects who ate a typical western diet (characterized by high intakes of red meat, sugary treats, high-fat foods, and refined grains).

From the observational study; we can observe that the raw vegan diet group will improve the heart health, they possess high fiber content necessary for healing. They don't quite have any issues related to higher blood pressure.

The Endurance runners groups who ran for an average of 48 miles per week for an average of 21 years will have a better heart health and a reduction in the risk associated with higher blood pressure or other health related diseases.

But the western diet group who ate a typical western diet (characterized by high intakes of red meat, sugary treats, high-fat foods, and refined grains) will have a variety of health complications all types of the foods being consumed. For example, high intake of red meat and sugary treats and high-fat food can result an individual to having diabetes. Because these food mention contains high saturated fat which raises the blood cholesterol . As a result high level of these cholesterols in the body can cause several heart complications and other health related diseases.

So from the aforementioned , we can concluded that :

option A and B were appropriate summary for the students statements.