Red Wine and Weight Loss

Resveratrol, an ingredient in red wine and grapes, has been shown to promote weight loss in rodents. A recent study¹⁹investigates whether the same phenomenon holds true in primates. The grey mouse lemur, a primate, demonstrates seasonal spontaneous obesity in preparation for winter, doubling its body mass. A sample of six lemurs had their resting metabolic rate, body mass gain, food intake, and locomotor activity measured for one week prior to resveratrol supplementation (to serve as a baseline) and then the four indicators were measured again after treatment with a resveratrol supplement for four weeks. Some p-values for tests comparing the mean differences in these variables (before vs after treatment) are given below. In parts (a) to (d), state the conclusion of the test using a 5% significance level, and interpret the conclusion in context.

(a)

In a test to see if mean resting metabolic rate is higher after treatment,p=0.013.

(b)

In a test to see if mean body mass gain is lower after treatment,p=0.007

(c)

In a test to see if mean food intake is affected by the treatment,p=0.035.

(d)

In a test to see if mean locomotor activity is affected by the treatment,p=0.980

(e)

In which test is the strongest evidence found? The weakest?

(f)

How do your answers to parts (a) to (d) change if the researchers make their conclusions using a stricter 1% significance level?

(g)

For each p-value, give an informal conclusion in the context of the problem describing the level of evidence for the result.

(h)

The sample only included six lemurs. Do you think that we can generalize to the population of all lemurs that body mass gain is lower on average after four weeks of a resveratrol supplement? Why or why not?