A Study Examined the Effect of a Low-Carbohydrate Diet Compared

A study examined the effect of a low-carbohydrate diet compared to a low-fat diet on body weight.  A sample of 150 overweight but otherwise healthy adults from a large city was enrolled in the study and randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the low-carbohydrate (40 g/d) or the low-fat (<7% saturated fat) diet.  At 12 months, a greater body weight change was reported in the low-carbohydrate diet group compared to the low-fat diet group, with a mean difference in body weight change of −3.5 kg (p = 0.01, predetermined significance level = 0.05) .  Which of the following is the most accurate interpretation of the results of this study?

A) The observed mean difference in body weight change of −3.5 kg is not statistically significant
B) The probability of observing a mean difference in body weight change of −3.5 kg is 0.01
C) There is a 1% chance of observing a mean difference in body weight change of at least −3.5 kg when no difference between groups is assumed
D) There is a 1% chance that an adult on a low-carbohydrate diet will have a body weight change of at least −3.5 kg at 12 months after starting the diet
E) There is a 1% chance that the mean difference in body weight change is biased in favor of the low-carbohydrate diet group

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