Question

1. The frequent consumption of sugar-sweetened soft drinks increases energy intake, which can lead to weight gain and obesity. In 2010, the worldwide burden of adiposity-associated cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and type 2 diabetes associated with consumption of sugar-sweetened was estimated to be 184,000 deaths. Whether regular consumption of soft drinks (total, sugar-sweetened, or artificially sweetened) is associated with greater all-cause and cause-specific mortality is uncertain, given that in-consistent findings were reported from previous prospective studies. The objective of the study was to examine the association between total, sugar-sweetened, and artificially sweetened soft drink consumption and subsequent total and cause-specific mortality.

1. The study is example of a

1. Superiority (“Difference”) study
2. Equivalence study
3. Non-inferiority study

2. What are the null and alternative hypotheses? (It is okay to describe the hypotheses in words.)

Answer 1

I. This is equivalence study hence the correct option is:

B. Equivalence study

II. The null and alternative hypotheses are:

Null hypothesis: There is no association between total, sugar-sweetened, and artificially sweetened soft drink consumption and subsequent total and cause-specific mortality.

Alternative hypothesis: There exists an association between total, sugar-sweetened, and artificially sweetened soft drink consumption and subsequent total and cause-specific mortality.

Good luck with your studies!!!