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In a study of the impact of eating fruit on birth weight, researchers analyze birth weights (in grams) for babies born to 189 women who gave birth in 2018 at a hospital in California. Suppose in the group, 74 of the women were categorized as “fruit eaters” and 115 as “non-fruit eaters.” The difference in the two sample mean birth weights (fruit eaters minus non-fruit eaters) is 281.7 grams and the 95% confidence interval is (76.5, 486.9)
Which gives the best interpretation of what we can conclude about the impact of eating fruit on birth weight?
ANSWER:
Eating fruit is associated with higher birth weights. When fruit eaters are compared to non-fruit eaters, we are 95% confident that the mean weight of babies of fruit eaters is between 76.5 grams to 486.9 grams more than the mean weight of babies of non-fruit eaters.
This study is an observational study, so the use of the phrase “is associated with” is appropriate. The use of the phrase “95% confident” with a specific confidence interval is also appropriate.