Question

Women who are severely overweight suffer economic consequences, a study has shown. They have household incomes that are $\$6710$less than other women, on average. The findings are from an eight-year observational study of $10,039$randomly selected women who were $16-24$years old when the research began. If the difference in average incomes is statistically significant, does this study give convincing evidence that being severely overweight causes a woman to have a lower income?

a. Yes; the study included both women who were severely overweight and women who were not.

b. Yes; the subjects in the study were selected at random.

c. Yes, because the difference in average incomes is larger than would be expected by chance alone.

d. No; the study showed that there is no connection between income and being severely overweight.

e. No; the study suggests an association between income and being severely overweight, but we can’t draw a cause-and-effect conclusion.

Short answer

The correct option is (e) No; the study suggests an association between income and being severely overweight, but we can’t draw a cause-and-effect conclusion.

Step-by-step solution

Given information

The household incomes that are $\$6710$less than other women, on average. The findings are from an eight-year observational study of $10,039$ randomly selected women who were $16-24$ years old

Explanation

A study was done to see whether or not women who are severely overweight experience economic disadvantages.

Because the difference in average income is statistically significant, the observation study's findings indicate that there is a link between income and being extremely overweight.

However, because the study is an observational study, association does not imply causation because the reason could be another variable that was not included in the analysis. As a result, option (e) is the proper choice.