Diseases Associated with Aging in Women are Difficult to Correlate

Reading Passage Question

Diseases associated with aging in women are difficult to correlate explicitly with estrogen deficiency because aging and genetics are important influences in the development of such diseases. A number of studies, however, indicate a profound effect of estrogen deficiency in syndromes such as cardiovascular disease (including atherosclerosis and stroke) and osteoporosis—the loss and increasing fragility of bone in aging individuals.

The amount of bone in the elderly skeleton—a key determinant in its susceptibility to fractures—is believed to be a function of two major factors. The first is the peak amount of bone mass attained, determined to a large extent by genetic inheritance. The marked effect of gender is obvious—elderly men experience only one-half as many hip fractures per capita as elderly women. However, African American women have a lower incidence of osteoporotic fractures than Caucasian women. Other important variables include diet, exposure to sunlight, and physical activity. The second major factor is the rate of bone loss after peak bone mass has been attained. While many of the variables that affect peak bone mass also affect rates of bone loss, additional factors influencing bone loss include physiological stresses such as pregnancy and lactation. It is hormonal status, however, reflected primarily by estrogen and progesterone levels, that may exert the greatest effect on rates of decline in skeletal mass.

“Diseases associated with aging in women are difficult to correlate”- is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.

This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 3 comprehension questions. The GMAT Reading Comprehension questions are designed for testing candidates’ abilities in understanding, analyzing, and applying information or concepts. Candidates can actively prepare with the help of GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.

Solution and Explanation

1. Based upon the passage, which of the following is LEAST clearly a factor affecting the rate of decline in bone mass?

(A) Gender
(B) Exposure to sunlight
(C) Progesterone levels
(D) Age
(E) Estrogen levels

2. In discussing the “marked effect of gender” (Highlighted), the author assumes all of the following EXCEPT

(A) the difference in incidence of hip fractures is not due to different rates of bone loss.
(B) the incidence of hip fractures among elderly men as compared to elderly women is representative of the total number of bone fractures among elderly men as compared to elderly women.
(C) elderly women are not more accident-prone than elderly men.
(D) the population upon which the cited statistic is based includes both African Americans and Caucasians.
(E) men achieve peak bone mass at the same age as women.

3. It can be inferred from the passage that the peak amount of bone mass in women

(A) is not affected by either pregnancy or lactation.
(B) is determined primarily by diet.
(C) depends partly upon hormonal status.
(D) may play a role in determining the rate of decrease in estrogen and progesterone levels.
(E) is not dependent upon genetic makeup.

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