Despite the relentless pursuit of fitness portrayed by the media, the

Question

Despite the relentless pursuit of fitness portrayed by the media, the population of the nation is, on average, plumper than was the population 30 years ago. By 2008, the average adult is 11 pounds heavier than was the average adult in 1978.

Which of the following is an assumption underlying the argument above regarding today's average adult?

A. Today's average adult is not older than was the average adult of the past
B. Today's average adult is not substantially overwight
C. Today's average adult is trying to lose weight
D. Today's average adult eats healthier food than did the average adult of the past.
E. Today's average adult is not significantly taller than was the average adult of the past

dhwanit2412 · Answer

E does not make sense, for matter of fact none of the options. The question is not about CR understanding at all. Pls explain in detail the question and answers

asad9242 · Answer

Despite the relentless pursuit of fitness portrayed by the media, the population of the nation is, on average, plumper than was the population 30 years ago. By 2008, the average adult is 11 pounds heavier than was the average adult in 1978.

Which of the following is an assumption underlying the argument above regarding today's average adult?

A. Today's average adult is not older than was the average adult of the past
B. Today's average adult is not substantially overwight
C. Today's average adult is trying to lose weight
D. Today's average adult eats healthier food than did the average adult of the past.
E. Today's average adult is not significantly taller than was the average adult of the past

All other options seem irrelevant.
E seems correct because if the height of today's average adult is more than older ones, then it somewhat justifies the increase in weight. More weight with more height do not make you obese or plumper.

Madhvendrasinh · Answer

But the option A here states that it is assumed about the average adult to not be older because it would justify the increased weight. If we assume your logic than A must be correct also. 
The average adult's age would've been 29 years in 1978 and 39 in 2008, and if so, it clearly negates the conclusion. (because it is possible that a person's weight increases as they get older)

Paattaa · Answer

This would make sense, had the question been average population age where we could have considered the average transitioning from a young to an adult. But here we're only concerned with adults, whose weight in ideal scenarios remain more or less the same through out (yes it can change in some scenarios) compared to child to adult where weight gain is more reasonable. Hence E which indicates the average adult height's have remain more or less the same. The reasoning is questionable and I would say the question could have been worded better.

Despite the relentless pursuit of fitness portrayed by the media, the

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Despite the relentless pursuit of fitness portrayed by the media, the