Question

A team of researchers studied the eating habits of n=502 adults in their mid-30s.
(Source: Kvaavik E, Lien N, Tell GS and Klepp K-I (2005) Psychosocial explanatory of eating habits among adults in their mid-30s: The Oslo Youth Study follow-up 1991–1999. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity.)

For each of the subjects in their study, they observed: their fruit and vegetable intake (g/day), their whole-grain intake (g/day), and their added sugar intake (recorded as a percent of the total energy intake.) The correlation coefficient for each pair of these variables was computed, and the results are given below.

Interpret the strength and direction of these correlations.

1. The correlation between the fruit and vegetable intake and the whole grain intake was 0.20.
2. The correlation between the fruit and vegetable intake and the added sugar intake was –0.14.
3. The correlation between the whole grain intake and the added sugar intake was –0.22.

Answer 1

The correlation between Fruit and vegetable intake and whole grain intake is 0.2.They are positively correlated but the strength is very weak which means they are weakly positive correlated. There is no strong association. So as your fruit and veggies intake increases then whole grain intake also increases but this increase is not always.

Correlation between fruit vegetable and Sugar is -0.14.They are weakly Negativity correlated to each other. The association is negative so when Fruit vegetable intake increases then sugar intake decreases and vice versa. But again this is very low value.

Correlation between whole grain and Sugar intake is -0. 22.Again they are Weakly Negativity correlated. So when your intake of whole grain increases then sugar intake decreases but the association is weak so this relation won't hold always.