Question

Causation A study has shown that there is a correlation between body weight and blood pressure. Higher body weights are associated with higher blood pressure levels. Can we conclude that gaining weight is a cause of increased blood pressure?

Short answer

No, it cannot be inferred that the gain in weight causes an increase in blood pressure.

Step-by-step solution

Given information

It is given that there is a correlation between two variables; body weights and blood. Higher body weights are associated with higher blood pressure levels.

Relationship between correlation and causality

It is a general idea that if two variables are correlated, one may not cause the other to occur. It is established on the idea of lurking variables that may affect the relationship.

Explain the result

It is given that if weight increases, the blood pressure level also increases.

Therefore, there is a positive correlation between body weight and blood pressure.

However, this does not necessarily mean that an increase in blood pressure is caused due to an increase in weight.

The increase in blood pressure may be due to other factors such as genetics, excessive smoking, and alcohol consumption or age. These are potential lurking variables of the study.

Therefore, a correlation between body weight and blood pressure does not necessarily imply that one causes the other.