Medical researcher: Studies in North America have shown that the incidence of heart disease in a population is closely related to the average fat consumption for individuals in that population. However, although residents of France consume, on average, as much fat as residents of North America, heart disease presently occurs half as frequently among the French as among North Americans.
"Surprising" Phenomenon
Why do residents of France have a rate of heart disease half that of North Americans, even though they eat as much fat as North Americans, and studies in North America show that the rate of heart disease in a population is closely related to the average fat consumption of individuals in that population?
Objective
The correct answer should tell us something special about the French compared to North Americans that would lead to a lower rate of heart disease.
A
The average level of fat consumption by the French has been falling for several decades.
This doesn’t differentiate the French from North Americans. In addiiton, we already know the French eat just as much fat as North Americans. We have no reason to think that higher rates of fat consumption in the past have any impact.
B
Other factors of diet besides high consumption of fat have not been similarly linked with incidence of heart disease.
If this has any impact, it deepens our confusion. If other diet factors haven’t been linked to heart disease, then it’s harder to explain the discrepancy by pointing to a difference in other foods eaten by the French and North Americans.
C
Heart disease takes years to develop and the average level of fat consumption in France increased to North American levels only a few years ago.
This points out a difference between French and North Americans that could explain the French people’s lower heart rate. They only recently reached the same level of fat consumption as North Americans, so the French’s heart disease rate may not have had enough time to rise.
D
Certain diseases other than heart disease have also been linked to average fat consumption, and the French have a higher incidence of these than do North Americans.
We’re trying to explain the discrepancy in heart disease rate. Lack of difference in rates of other disease doesn’t help explain why the French have a different rate of heart disease from North Americans.
E
Cigarette smoking significantly increases the risk of heart disease and France has a higher percentage of cigarette smokers in its population than does North America.
This deepens our confusion, because it would lead us to expect the French to have a higher rate of heart disease than North Americans. But they actually have a lower rate.
A
Preventive health programs are more prevalent in city X than in city Y.
B
The hospitals in city X are noted as leaders in employing outpatient treatment wherever possible.
C
The drinking water of city Y has dangerously high levels of pollutants, whereas this is not the case for city X.
D
The hospitals in city Y are of very high quality, and residents of city X are often sent there for treatment.
E
The lifestyle in city X is significantly less stressful than the lifestyle in city Y.