Quote:
Originally Posted by graciegirl
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I'm still pondering the implications.
I don't have TV but I do listen to the news on the radio. Last night I heard a news report on the Mediterranean diet and the newscaster said, "those on the Mediterranean diet cut their risk of heart attacks and strokes by 30 percent." People listening to this report would think that it applies to the average person, but it doesn't.
They're not taking the time to mention that all 7,400 patients were at high risk of heart disease. These high risk people were purposely selected for the study. People at high risk generally have the worst dietary habits. So if you give them instructions, as they did, on what to eat and what not to eat, of course you would expect some good results.
In other words, if you start with people who couldn't possibly be doing any worse, you are likely to get a decent result. It's not so surprising.